Hong Gun-hee, 31, has signed his first free agent contract with the Doosan Bears, where he has begun his “second professional life .On the 25th, when the stamp was put on the contract after long negotiations, Hong told Yonhap News Agency, “My personal record has improved since I came to Doosan. I’m happy to sign my first free agent contract in a place where I started a new life. I just want to do better,” he said .On the same day, Doosan said, “We signed right-handed pitcher Hong Gun-hee for 2+2 years for a maximum of 2.45 billion won (300 million won in down payment, 2.1 billion won in total annual salary, and 50 million won in incentives),” adding, “The total amount of the first two-year contract is 950 million won. After the end of the two-year contract, it included a player option for two years and 1.5 billion won.” In order to comply with the salary cap in 2024 and 2025, Doosan will pay Hong a relatively low salary.
Instead, at the end of the 2025 season, Hong will have the option of signing a two-year, 1.5 billion won extension with Doosan or going to the “market” as a free agent. “I understand the club’s situation regarding the salary cap,” says Hong, “and they honored me as much as possible. They tried to match the total amount and gave me the option to extend my contract after two years. The ‘+2 year contract’ is a good incentive for me.” “It took a long time, but it feels good to finalize the contract before the start of spring training with Doosan, the team I want to play for,” he added. Hong began his professional career with the KIA Tigers in 2011.After being traded to Doosan in June 2020, Hong was assigned to the bullpen, where he blossomed .In 2021, he went 6-6 with three saves and a 2.78 ERA in 17 appearances, and in 2022, he went 2-9 with 18 saves and a 3.48 ERA in nine appearances as Doosan’s closer .Last year, she was 1-5 with a 3.06 ERA in 22 appearances, five saves and five holds. Hong has a career record of 21 wins, 44 losses, 49 saves, 44 holds, and a 5.10 ERA.
Since joining Doosan, she has a 12-24 record with 39 saves and a 3.46 ERA.”I was given many opportunities at KIA, but I was unable to reciprocate. I feel very sorry for that,” said Hong. “After moving to Doosan, my performance improved. During the negotiation period, Doosan fans sent me messages asking me to stay, and I’m glad to be able to reunite with them again.” Hong was trusted by his teammates, coaching staff, and front office .A Doosan representative said, “He has been the centerpiece of our bullpen for four years. We negotiated with the premise that he is an essential player for the team,” said a Doosan official, “and we expect him to continue to perform as well as he is now. “Hong promised to do better.” There was a big difference between my performance in the first half of last year (3 losses, 20 saves, 1 hold, 2.31 ERA) and the second half (1 win, 2 losses, 2 saves, 4 holds, 4.05 ERA). “This year, I will pay more attention to my physical fitness and protect the Doosan bullpen throughout the season,” he said .Hong will depart for 슬롯게이밍 Australia on May 29 with his Doosan teammates for the club’s spring training camp.