Jaehoon Choi. Provided by Hanwha EaglesThe professional baseball Hanwha Eagles signed a contract with Choi Jae-hoon (31), who was qualified as a free agent (free agent), and a maximum of 5.4 billion won for five years (down payment of 1.6 billion won, annual salary of 3.3 billion won, and options up to 500 million won).
On the 27th, Hanwha Club announced, “Considering his position and influence in the team, he decided that he was an essential player for the team and signed a contract quickly.”
Jaehoon Choi became the first free agent to sign in the Stove League this year.
“When I first joined Hanwha, I promised my fans that I would play for the next 10 years,” said Choi Jae-hoon.
He added, “The general manager Jung Min-cheol gave an interview saying, ‘Choi Jae-hoon is our player. I can’t give it up’, and I was convinced after seeing it.”
He said, “When I first joined Hanwha, I was criticized a lot for being a ‘defensive catcher’ and ‘glass body’, but I think I achieved growth because I played confidently. FA) and Yang Eui-ji (NC Dinos) hyung received too much,” he said.
“Hanwha became a young team (through the rebuilding process),” said Jeong Min-cheol, general manager, explaining the background of the contract.
Jaehoon Choi transferred from the Doosan Bears in April 2017 by trade and wore a Hanwha uniform.
During the five seasons after the transfer, he had a batting average of 0.277, 15 home runs, 153 RBIs, a slugging percentage of 0.356, and an on-base percentage of 0.376.
In 2020, he recorded a batting average of .301 (0.301) for the first time since his debut, and in 2021, he recorded his first on-base percentage (0.405) of his debut and 72 walks, the most in a season.
Coach Carlos Subero paid attention to his ability to get on base and used Jae-Hoon Choi as the second hitter.
