Chapter 9 – Live Pitching 03

“What? Gun Choi pitched at 151km?”

“Yes, he also pa.s.sed a live pitching. He’s good enough to pa.s.s.”

The head of team smiled at the recruit manager’s report.

“Ok then try to get him on our team. This will be a topic.’

Nam-Hyun Huh, a recruit manager, hesitated at the order from the head of team.

“Well…”

“Any problem?”

“Gun Choi is thinking of going to the Major League. I need more money to invite him….”

The head of team stated clearly.

“Making a good deal is your job. That’s why you get a high salary. He only had experience in the Minor League, not Major League.”

Nam-Hyun Huh dropped his head.

‘I got to do what I got to do, I’m a just team member.’

The budget allowed for him was only $350,000.

This amount would be enough if the player was a newcomer fresh out of high school.

But he was a 25-year-old who wanted to be a Major Leaguer.

The head of a team made a miscalculation that he would accept this amount.

“It will not easy.”

He left an office with a deep sigh.

Nam-Hyun Huh arrived at Gun Choi’s house.

It was an old apartment complex near the metropolitan area.

Gun Choi had purchased this house 7 years ago after signing up with a team in the Major League. 

The reason why Nam-Hyun Huh came here was to check Gun Choi’s financial status.

‘Looks like he’s not good in finance. Chances are good.’

His hidden weapon was a lump sum.

30 minutes later, Nan-Hyun Huh met Gun Choi at a café.

“Gun Choi, you look good.”

“Thanks to the care of AT Communications.”

Gun Choi knew why Nam-Hyun Huh was visiting him.

But he pretended not to know.

Nam-Hyun preferred to be straightforward rather than take a detour.

“Gun Choi, I’ll talk to you simply. Do you have any intention of contracting with AT Communications?”

Gun Choi replied in a low voice.

“I know you helped me a lot. But I still want to get in the Major League.”

It was as Nam-Hyun Huh had expected. But he needed to make this deal as a recruit manager.

“Gun Choi, I’m sorry but you will be 26 years old next year. Are you going to stay in the Minor League with a poor salary? You also need to think about your family.”

Gun Choi smiled instead of frowning.

“Age, that’s the reason I need to go for the Major League.”

“Age? If you don’t grab a chance in your twenties there will be no future in your thirties. This is your last chance.”

Gun Choi asked Nam-Hyun Huh.

“What if I joined a domestic team? Could I get FA chances?”

FA would be given after 9 seasons.

If he started at 26, he would be eligible after 35.

Nam-Hyun had nothing to say.

‘I cannot do anything about this.’

“Gun Choi, FA is not the only issue. You also need to consider your age as an athlete. Grab the opportunity. There wouldn’t be any team you can join in your thirties. But right now you can make contracts with salaries in the millions. It will be helpful to your family.”

Gun Choi also knew about that.

But he couldn’t give up.

Gun Choi wanted to know Nam-Hyun Huh’s intention.

“How much will my salary be if I stayed in the domestic league?”

Nam-Hyun Huh was startled a little.

Now the main issue would be discussed.

“I can provide you three-hundred thousand in cash.”

It was by no means a small amount. For ordinary people who got an annual $30,000, it would take them ten years to earn the same amount.

But the amount wasn’t enough as condition to stay domestic instead of going Major League.

“……”

“Gun Choi, it’s not a small amount. Only players who were selected at the 1st round can get this amount.”

Gun Choi nodded his head.

“I’m sorry.”

Nam-Hyun Huh raised his betting to the maximum.

“Ok, I can give you fifty-thousand more. I can even consider a tax.”

It was true that Gun Choi’s financial situation was not good but it was not that serious.

Gun Choi intended to deny his proposal by raising his counteroffer.

“I’m not a worldly-minded person. As you know, we have pride as professional players. I need to get on the same level as Woo-Chul Park who returned to Korea 5 years ago.”

Chul-Woo Park, a left-hander who won 7 games in the Major League, received $800,000 when he returned to Korea.

‘He is requesting the same amount even though he’s not a Major Leaguer. It will be difficult.’

Nam-Hyun Huh realized that it was not enough with only $350,000.

“Gun Choi, let me discuss with the head of team.”

“I’d like to add one more word.”

Nam-Hyun looked startled.

“Uh?”

“There will be a showcase at Arizona in December. If I can’t find any team…..”

Nam-Hyun Huh’s face turned bright.

“Then will you to come back to Korea?”

“Maybe.”

Nam-Hyun Huh nodded his head and said.

“Ok. If you come back, I’ll try to match half. It’s hard to match Chul-Woo Park.”

The half meant $400,000.

Nam-Hyun considered a figure between $450,000~$500,000 in his head.

Contracting with AT Communications was a second option for Gun Choi.

His goal was to enter the Major League even if he got AAA or AA.

And his worst option would be returning to a domestic team if he failed to contract with AA.

Gun Choi was old enough to start from rookie or A.

He sighed deeply as he walked out of the café.

“Whew, am I old? I wouldn’t have come to this kind of meeting if I were young. It was a good time to show Mr. Tomson something but I’m also considering coming back to the domestic league.’

Gun Choi thought that he was compromising himself because of reality.