[프로야구] Heo Gyeong-min leaves Doosan, where he played for 16 years, and signs a 4-year, 4 billion won free agent contract with KT

[서울=뉴스핌] Sports Reporter Jang Hwan-soo = KT, which sent 13-win pitcher Eom Sang-baek and infielder Shim Woo-jun to Hanwha, recruited Heo Gyeong-min, a free agent from Doosan.

KT announced on the 8th, “We signed a four-year contract with Heo Gyeong-min worth up to 4 billion won (down payment of 1.6 billion won, total annual salary of 1.8 billion won, and options of 600 million won).”

[서울=뉴스핌] Sports reporter Jang Hwan-soo = On the 8th, Heo Gyeong-min, who signed a 4-year, 4 billion won free agent contract with KT, posed at Suwon Stadium. [사진=kt] 2024.11.08 zangpabo@newspim.com

Heo Gyeong-min, who began his professional career at Doosan in 2009, first qualified as a free agent ahead of the 2021 season and signed for up to 8.5 billion won over seven years. Heo Gyeong-min, who signed a 4+3 year contract at the time, would receive 2 billion won for three years from 2025 if he chose to stay at Doosan, but chose to enter the free agent market and be re-evaluated.

Heo Gyeong-min, who is considered the best infielder in the KBO League, contributed to Doosan’s advancement to the Korean Series for seven consecutive years (2015-2021) and won the third baseman Golden Glove in 2018. His career records are 1,548 games, a batting average of 0.293, 1,483 hits, 636 RBI, and 765 runs. This year, he recorded a batting average of 0.309, 129 hits, 61 RBI, 69 runs, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.811.

Heo Gyeong-min said, “I am grateful to the KT team for recognizing my value. I will do my best to contribute to the team’s second win at KT, which has established itself as a strong team in the KBO League.” He added, “It was a really difficult decision to leave the team I had been with for more than 10 years,” and added, “I am sincerely grateful to the Doosan fans for their support.”

KT general manager Na Do-hyun said, “Heo Gyeong-min, who has a wealth of experience as a veteran infielder, is a player who can add stability to the infield based on his excellent contact ability and top-level defense.” He added, “I hope that he will serve as an example to many juniors through his thorough self-management and sincerity.” “He said.

KT is expected to entrust Heo Gyeong-min with third base, and Hwang Jae-gyun will change his position to first base.

zangpabo@newspim.com