The already dilapidated bullpen is on the verge of becoming as empty as the owner lost it. There is a man who can't bear the silence.안전놀이터
Choi Jun-yong of the Lotte Giants, who met at Sajik Stadium in Busan on the 7th, was desperate.
This year, Lotte struggled as the bullpen collapsed. Koo Seung-min and Kim Won-joong, as well as veterans Kim Sang-soo and Han Hyun-hee, tried hard, but it was not enough to prevent the shaking. It is good to see young guns such as Park Jin and Kim Kang-hyun and Chung Hyun-soo stand out, but as a result, autumn baseball has failed for seven consecutive years.
This is not the end. We faced a huge crisis this winter. Koo Seung-min and Kim Won-joong, who had been responsible for Lotte's backdoor policy for years, were released as free agents all at once. They are the stars of Lotte's most holds (121 times) and saves (132 times) in its history.
In particular, Koo Seung-min could have been released as a C-grade (first FA) a year later, but he has chosen to challenge this year. Both players are A-grade (reward players, 200% per year, or 300% per year) free agents.
If the relief duo leaves Lotte, Choi Jun-yong is one of the few pitchers who can be mentioned as a closing candidate. It is too heavy for Choi Jun-yong, who underwent shoulder surgery in August and is still rehabilitating.
It was a season when Choi's absence was desperately felt. "I didn't do anything this season. I will prepare well and show you a different side of me next year," he said.
I tried not to watch it because I was afraid that I would want to play baseball. However, I found myself turning on the baseball broadcast without realizing it whenever the game time was coming. Especially when I saw a team in crisis in the middle or late stages of the game, I used to feel sorry and responsible for it.
"(Shoulders) have been hurting for a long time. It was a place where I had to have surgery one day, but in July this year, I found out. I also did cross-checks at hospitals in Seoul, and they all said they needed surgery. I decided to do it as soon as possible and prepare for the next season."
When asked how he has been doing, he said, "It's a series of therapy, reinforcement exercises, running, and weight training." He is using this as an opportunity to sharpen his fundamentals one by one in order to regain his form at the beginning of his debut, which used to be called "the best fastball in the league." The rehabilitation schedule is through December, and after that, he throws the ball to prepare for his return as a pitcher. "I don't know if it went well because I haven't thrown the ball yet, but I'm still positive for now," Choi said with a smile.
Choi Jun-yong is close enough to be called "everyone's best friend" in his team, but the presence of Kim Won-joong and Koo Seung-min is also special to him. Among Lotte pitchers, Kim Won-joong (joined in 2012) has played for Lotte the longest. He will be followed by Koo Seung-min and Park Jin-hyung (joined in 2013).
Kim Won-joong (left) and Koo Seung-min, who both attended the All-Star Game last year, are Ahn Chi-hong (left) who moved to Hanwha. Sports Chosun DB in the middle
However, Park failed to meet the criteria of manager Kim Tae-hyung this year. He only played six ⅓ in seven games. Without Koo Seung-min and Kim Won-joong, Choi Jun-yong will become the longest-serving pitcher (he joined the Lotte Giants in 2020) among bullpen pitchers who pitched 20 or more innings in the first division last year. It is also embarrassing for Choi.
"I've been with Seungmin and Wonjung since I was a rookie. They're seniors and competitors I trust and follow, and I still have so much I want to learn. I want to show the fans a solid Lotte bullpen with the three of us."