| ▲ Yang Hyun-jong ⓒ Reporter Kwak Hye-mi |
[스포티비뉴스=광주, 박성윤 기자] Free agent (FA) Yang Hyun-jong announced his intention to return to the KIA Tigers.
On the 13th, KIA announced that Yang Hyun-jong’s free agent negotiations were proceeding positively. Yang Hyun-jong is a starting pitcher representing KIA. In 2007, he wore the KIA uniform as the 1st pick in the 2nd round of the 2007 Rookie of the Year draft. Appearing in 425 games and throwing 1986 innings, he recorded 147 wins and 95 losses and a 3.83 ERA.
He challenged the majors ahead of the season and signed a split deal with the Texas Rangers. After many twists and turns, he made it to the Major Leagues.
Although he was given a chance as a starting pitcher, he did not experience a winning pitcher. After that, it was downgraded to the minor leagues due to team circumstances. There was one more major league call-up, but he didn’t seize a winning chance as a starting pitcher. After that, he was removed from the roster and finished the season in the minor leagues. In the major leagues this season, he recorded a 5.60 ERA in 12 appearances (4 starts) and a 5.60 ERA without pitching wins in 35ⓓ innings.
While a return to Korea is likely, KIA, the pro-establishment team, announced the progress of negotiations with Yang Hyun-jong. The KIA said, “After Yang Hyun-jong returned to Korea, he visited the club’s high-level personnel office on the 7th. At this meeting, Yang Hyun-jong expressed his intention to come to the club. It was delivered. We all formed a consensus that it would be a win-win.”
He continued, “The club is a player that is absolutely necessary for KIA. We will make sure to catch it. For the KIA Tigers, Yang Hyun-jong’s value is more than the market value. We will negotiate faithfully in the future.”
<!–
■ 오늘의 스포츠 소식 ‘스포츠 타임(SPORTS TIME)’은 매일 밤 10시 SPOTV에서 볼 수 있습니다.
–>
