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January 2024
A championship team's disastrous winter. Is a dynasty possible?
POSTED ON
01/17/24
The LG Twins need to find a replacement for Ko Woo-seok, who left for the major leagues. Now they have to find a replacement for left-handed pitcher Seung-jo Ham Deok-ju.
Ham, who signed a four-year, 3.8 billion won free agent contract, underwent surgery before he even started his first season. "Ham Deok-ju underwent pin-fixation surgery at Sejong Sports Orthopedics on Saturday due to a microfracture of the olecranon bone in his left elbow," LG said. The rehabilitation period is expected to be about six months, and he is expected to return in June or July. It was reportedly discovered during a physical examination after signing a free agent contract.
LG won its first championship in 29 years with a strong bullpen, but cracks have appeared. Closer Ko Woo-seok signed a two-year, $4.5 million contract with the San Diego Padres.
The departure of the national team closer, who was the 2022 season's saves leader (42) and had 139 career saves, is a major loss.
LG manager Yeom Kyung-yeop quickly selected Yoo Young-chan, who performed well in the Korean Series, to replace Go Woo-seok.
However, 카지노사이트 there is no guarantee that Yoo will be able to land the job from the start. He'll need a lot of help around him. Ham Deok-ju, who made four saves when Go Woo-seok went down with an injury last year, is another candidate to help Yoo.
Ham Deok-ju was the only left-handed starter last year.
He appeared in 57 games, recording four wins, four losses, four saves, 16 holds and a 1.62 ERA. After going down with elbow pain in late August, his recovery was slower than expected and he didn't return for the regular season, but he pitched four games in the Korean Series - Games 1, 2, 3, and 5 - with one win and a 2.70 ERA.
After a belated wedding and honeymoon in Hawaii following the championship, he signed a four-year, 3.8 billion won ($600,000,000 down payment, $1.4 billion in salary, and $1.8 billion in incentives) free agent contract. Nearly half of the total amount was set aside for incentives, but Ham Deok-ju took it positively. After the New Year's meeting on the 5th, Ham Deok-ju expressed his thoughts on the incentives positively, saying, "I think it will be a motivation for me as long as I stay healthy and throw in the first team."
But even the much-needed Ham Deok-ju was lost to surgery.
The team will start the 2024 season without a closer and a left-handed pitcher. Yoo Young-chan is a candidate for the closer's job, but the left-handed pitcher position is still up for grabs. Lee pitched for the first team last year but had his ups and downs.
"The goal is to make two of Kim Yoo-young, Lee Sang-young, Yoon Ho-sol, Kim Dae-hyun, and Seong ****-hyun into the bullpen," Yeom said when asked about his plans for the bullpen at the New Year's meeting. Kim Yoo-young and Lee Sang-young are left-handed pitchers.
LG had to send four players in the revived secondary draft last November: pitchers Lee Sang-kyu (Hanwha), Choi Sung-hoon (Samsung), Oh Seok-joo (Kiwoom) and catcher Kim Ki-yeon (Doosan). The team lost a lot of power last year, but not much reinforcements.
KT Wiz and KIA Tigers are challenging LG for a second straight title. The departure of Go Woo-seok and Ham Deok-joo is a big blow for LG. Spring training in Arizona is crucial.
