KBO announced the list of FA qualifying players for 2024 on the 15th. A total of 34 players will appear in the FA market.
By FA grade, there are 8 people in A grade, 14 people in B grade, and 12 people in C grade. Among them, 12 players were eligible for FA for the first time, eight were re-qualified, and 14 players have already qualified for FA, but have maintained their qualifications without applying for FA approval.
By club, SSG has the largest number of six, LG, Samsung five, Lotte four, KT, Doosan, KIA, Kiwoom three, and NC and Hanwha one each.
Players eligible for FA in 2024 must apply for approval of the exercise of FA rights to KBO by the 17th, within two days of the announcement, and KBO will announce players who exercised FA rights as FA approved players on the 18th, the day after the application deadline.
First of all, Yang Seok-hwan is called the ‘biggest fish’ in the FA market. Despite using Jamsil Stadium, the widest stadium in the KBO League, it has the power to hit more than 20 home runs, so clubs seeking to reinforce big guns are very likely to drool. In 140 games this year, he had 147 hits, 28 homers, 89 RBIs, 73 runs and a batting average of 0.281 OPS of 0.787.
And veteran infielder Ahn Chi-hong is also coming to the FA market as his contract with Lotte expires. An Chi-hong has the advantage of being able to take charge of both first and second bases, and this year, he played 121 games with 124 hits, eight homers, 63 RBIs, 57 runs, and a batting average of 0.292 OPS of 0.774. It is highly likely to attract attention from teams that want to reinforce the center’s infield.
Lim Chan-kyu, who postponed the FA last year, is also on the market. Lim Chan-kyu already qualified for the FA after the 2022 season, but delayed the FA for a season as he left a sluggish performance with 6 wins, 11 losses and a 5.04 ERA. As a result, he played in 30 games this year with 14 wins, 3 losses and a 3.42 ERA, contributing greatly to the LG Twins’ “integrated championship” and enhancing his value.
Good sales are also heading to the market in Gyejeonjin. There are two players who should pay attention to it most. First of all, Kim Jae-yoon, the “finisher” who has 169 saves in the KBO League, will be evaluated. Kim Jae-yoon was sluggish in the postseason this year, but he pitched in 59 games and recorded 5 wins, 5 losses, 32 saves, and a 2.60 ERA. And Ham Deok-ju, who played in 57 games this year and had his best year with four wins, no losses, four saves and a 1.62 ERA, is also expected to look for a new destination.
Meanwhile, FA approved players can negotiate with all clubs (including overseas clubs) for player contracts from the 19th, the day after the announcement.