LG Twins left-handed reliever Ham Deok-ju, 29, showed confidence in his almost half of the incentives.

He is eligible for free agency for the first time in his career after the 2023 season and signed a four-year, 3.8 billion won ($600 million down payment, $1.4 billion salary, and $1.8 billion in incentives) contract with LG on March 24.

Ham Deok-ju joined the Doosan Bears in 2013 and was traded to the LG Twins in 2021. At the time, LG received Ham Deok-ju and right-handed pitcher Chae Ji-seon from "next door" Doosan in a two-for-two trade that sent infielder Yang Seok-hwan and pitcher Nam Ho to Doosan.

Ham Deok-ju struggled with injuries in the 2021 and 2022 seasons, but in 2023, Ham Deok-ju made a solid contribution to the team. In 57 games, he went 4-4 with four saves, 16 holds, and a 1.62 ERA in 55⅔ innings. In the Korean Series, he pitched in four games and went 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA in 3⅓ innings to help the team win the title.

"Before the 2022 season, I went to spring training for the first time with LG. I had surgery and wanted to pitch well, but I pushed myself too hard, and I think it led to bad results in the regular season," Ham said.

But the 2023 season was different. Instead, he took it slow and built himself up. And it paid off. "In 2023, I slowly built up to the point where I felt insecure, and it worked. This year, I will build my body in time for the start of the regular season. Right now, I'm not touching the ball. I'm focusing on rehabilitation and weight training." 카지노사이트가이드

The most eye-catching part of Ham Deok-ju's contract announcement was the incentives, or options. A little less than half of the 3.8 billion won, 1.8 billion won, was not guaranteed. In response to this, Ham said, "I performed so well last year that I could have gotten the option even if I didn't. If I can stay healthy and pitch in the first team, I can get enough. I don't have to worry about grades or anything like that," he said, expressing confidence. In other words, he was confident in his own body, which he knew better than anyone else.

"The incentive will be my motivation," he said, adding, "It's true that I've always had an injury risk, and it will be my motivation to eliminate that. That's why I can prepare for the season without being complacent just because I signed a free agent contract. I was able to finalize the contract with a good mindset."

"I don't worry about injuries at all. I've been playing professionally for more than 10 years, and I actually took two years off due to injury, but I became a free agent. I don't think I'm an injury risk," he said firmly.With Go Woo-seok heading to the major leagues in 2024, LG has Yoo Young-chan as its closer. However, there are a lot of variables during the season, and sometimes the more experienced Ham Duk-ju can take over the closer role. "That's up to the manager," Ham said. I don't have any regrets. If I think it will change because I'm sad, I'll say I'm sad," he laughed, then reaffirmed his resolve, saying, "If I do my job, good opportunities will come."