KBO League’s longest-serving foreign trio’s competitive structure. It’s on the verge of collapse.
Two of the three musketeers, who will be in their 5th year next year, chose to remain in the KBO. LG Twins ace Casey Kelly (33) and Kiwoom Heroes left-hander Eric Yokishi (33).
On the last two days, Kelly re-signed with his team, LG, for a total of 1.8 million dollars (450,000 dollars in down payment, 1.05 million dollars in annual salary, and 300,000 dollars in incentives).
Yokishi, who was rumored to be in the big leagues, also announced the news of a contract with his team Kiwoom for a total of $ 1.5 million on the 12th. Details of the contract were not disclosed.
As a result, Kelly and Yokishi, who entered the KBO League in 2019, continued their goodwill competition as the longest-serving foreign pitcher for 5 years.
Kelly has consistently recorded double-digit wins for four consecutive seasons and continues to hold the record for the most wins outside of active play with 58 wins (31 losses). Yokishi is also chasing Kelly with a total of 51 wins (33 losses) in double-digit multipliers for four consecutive seasons.
Between Kelly and Yokishi, there is one motivation to enter the KBO League.
NC Dinos ace Drew Luchinski (34).
He led NC’s combined victory with 19 wins in 2020, and with a total of 53 wins (36 losses), he is running second with the most wins outside of active duty after Kelly.
The competitive structure between the longevity foreign trio that has been going on for the past 4 seasons. The likelihood of being reduced 안전놀이터 from a three-way match to a two-way match is increasing.
This is because Luchinski’s return next year is unclear. He prioritizes returning to the big leagues.
Negotiations with NC are not over. On the 25th of last month, NC communicated its intention to renew the contract to Luchinski.
NC wants to set up a specific negotiating table, but Luchinski is sticking to the position of ‘first MLB-after KBO’, so progress is difficult.
The NC side explained, “I know that there was an identity inquiry on Luchinski in MLB,” and “As the player prioritizes returning to the major leagues, active negotiations are being delayed.”
Luchinski is a foreign pitcher who has achieved the representative Korean Dream. He entered the KBO with a 5.33 ERA in 54 innings, 4 wins, 4 losses, 4 holds, and a total of 41 games in 4 major league seasons, mainly as a bullpen pitcher.
Through a thorough routine and effort, the highest ransom price for a foreign player this season was 2 million dollars in total. He also won the unification and received the highest ransom. For Luczynski, who was born in 1988, this could be his last chance to challenge the big leagues through a golden return.
If only a major league guarantee contract can be drawn out, there is a high possibility that the four-year accompaniment with the NC Dinos will unfortunately come to an end.