It took 15 years to sign an FA contract after joining the pro league. He did not have fastballs with fire, and although he did not have a great career, he silently threw and held on where his team needed him. For Hanwha pitcher Jang Min-jae (33), an FA contract is a token of his survival as a professional player for 15 years and is like a medal of honor.
Jang Min-jae signed a 2+1 year contract with Hanwha on the 21st for up to 800 million won. If the contract is executed in 2026 with an option of 100 million won and a total annual salary of 400 million won between 2024 and 2025, an annual salary of 200 million won and an option of 100 million won will be added. The guaranteed amount is 400 million won, which is not a large contract.
On the same day, LG Twins pitcher Lim Chan-kyu signed a four-year contract worth 5 billion won (2.6 million U.S. dollars) and shortstop Oh Ji-hwan signed a six-year contract worth 12.4 billion won (10 billion won). This was the second smallest contract among eight FA players this winter, following Kia Tigers pitcher Ko Jong-wook (two-year contract worth 500 million won and 400 million won). In terms of option exclusion guaranteed amount alone, the minimum amount is the same as that of Ko.
However, the size of his contract didn't matter much to Jang. What matters most is what remains with the Hanwha Eagles. Originally from Gwangju Jeil High School, he joined the club 22nd overall in the second and third rounds in 2009, and has been with only one team for the past 15 years. Although he is not a big star, he was like a salt in the face of different teams' circumstances and needs.
When he applied for the FA, he had no intention of leaving the Hanwha Eagles. His club, which wanted to protect even one more player ahead of the second draft, also recommended Jang apply for the FA. Players who applied for the FA will be automatically excluded from the draft. They formed a consensus with the club early on that they would remain in the FA market, and coordinated details on a reasonable basis without getting hurt during the negotiations.
However, as the contract took some time to complete, some people criticized him. The contract also caught the ears of the person concerned. "It took me some time to think carefully because this was the first FA that could be the last one," Jang said. "There was no problem during the negotiation process with the club. Instead, I was saddened to hear the story of 'I went to the market after seeing the money.' I didn't mean to chase after the money or go to another team. I had a hard time in that regard," he said.
For a player, an FA is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and chasing money is not necessarily a bad thing. It is a player's right, and Hanwha did not pressure Jang during the negotiation process. They looked around the market conditions and gave him time and consideration so that he could make a decision with sufficient accommodation. As a C-rated FA, it was not that other teams were interested in him, but Jang did not focus on other things.
"To me, the No. 1 team has always been the Hanwha Eagles. I had no intention of going anywhere," Jang said. "The Hanwha Eagles are my home. They are like my family. They call it a struggle when I go home. Daejeon is comfortable and nice. (Although I was born in Gwangju), Daejeon is my hometown now. I will retire from Hanwha as well," he said, vowing to become a Hanwha man forever.
Another significant meaning is that it took 15 years for him to win the FA contract. Jang, who started baseball since he was a first grader at Hwajeong Elementary School in Gwangju, threw many balls at an early age and underwent elbow surgery twice before joining the pro league. After joining the pro league, he completed elbow surgery in 2012, and joined the military. Though Jang became a slow-balling pitcher through three surgeries, he developed his ball control and displayed sharp drops of fork balls to survive. Jang survived as a pro for 15 years by banking on his aggressive matches that he would not avoid.
Despite ups and downs throughout his career, his consistent sincerity and silence have not changed. "I want to compliment myself for 'well done'," said Jang Min-jae, who signed an FA contract after 15 years of giving up. Whether it's a lot of money or not, it's not easy to play FA baseball. "I'm not an A-level player, but I want to place a significance on the fact that I persevered and became a FA like this," he said. "I'm grateful to my parents and younger sister for all their hard work to take care of me."
He is not the only one who signed an FA contract. As such, he has become more responsible. "We need to go in a way that our team can do well. My friend (Ahn) Chi-hong is here, and we have strengthened our capabilities, so I look forward to next season. I can see the light of day only when the team does well. There will be a new stadium in the year after tomorrow, and just imagining of lifting the trophy there will make me feel great," said Jang Min-jae. "I will throw hard to win no matter what my position will be. Whatever the score I get, I will throw hard to win for my team." 슬롯머신