Veteran infielder Kim Min-seong (35) repeatedly said “thank you” after being confirmed to join the professional baseball Lotte Giants through a sign-and-trade .Kim Min-seong said in a phone call with Yonhap News on the 26th, “I am really grateful for the consideration of the LG Twins and the interest of the Lotte team. I received a lot of support from LG and made good memories. Lotte, who started my professional career, made a good offer to me. “I’m really grateful to both clubs,” he said .On this day, LG and Lotte announced ‘Sign and Trade’ almost simultaneously .Kim Min-seong signed with his original club LG for a contract period of up to 3 years (2+1 year) for a total of 900 million won (200 million won in down payment, 500 million won in annual salary, 200 million won in options) and then traded to Lotte. Lotte gave infielder Kim Min-su (25) to LG and recruited Kim Min-seong. The contract was concluded after a complex process in which Kim Min-seong and Lotte negotiated salaries, etc., and Lotte and LG agreed on trade terms .Minseong Kim is a B-grade free agent.The compensation scale for Grade B players is 100% of the previous year’s annual salary and 25 protected players and 1 player, or 200% of the previous year’s annual salary. Lotte recruited Kim Min-seong in a sign-and-trade format, reducing the burden of ‘compensation’. Kim Min-seong confessed, “I felt heavy because the start date of spring camp was approaching and I could not complete the contract. LG also made a good offer to me. However, considering my various situations, they opened the way for me to go to Lotte. LG Manager Cha Myeong-seok, etc. “I am grateful to those involved,” he said.
Last year, Kim Min-seong was the “leading figure in the combined championship” recognized by LG coach Yeom Kyung-yeop.At the beginning of the season, whenever LG infielders left, Kim Min-seong played first baseman, second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop, filling the void left by his teammates .Kim Min-seong said, “Coach Yeom gave me the opportunity to play in various positions. I was a player who was really desperate to win, and it was an honor to be able to participate in LG’s first combined championship in 29 years. I am just grateful to LG. “Kim Min-seong began his professional career by joining Lotte in the 2nd round, 13th overall, in 2007.Traded to Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom) in July 2010, he qualified as a free agent for the first time after the 2018 season .At that time, Kim Min-seong wore the LG uniform through a sign-and-trade Kim Min-seong signed a free agent contract with Kiwoom for a total of 1.8 billion won, including a three-year contract period, 300 million won in down payment, 400 million won in annual salary, and 100 million won in options each year .LG inherited the terms of the FA contract and gave 500 million won in cash to Kiwoom Club and traded Kim Min-seong in cash .Regarding the two free agency contracts being completed through sign-and-trade, Kim Min-seong calmly said, “I am satisfied that I completed the contract in some form and continued my career as a player,” and added, “I am grateful for both contracts.”
Kim Min-seong returned to Lotte after 13 years and 6 months in July 2010.Lotte has not won a championship since 1992.It is the team that has not won a trophy for the longest time among KBO League clubs .Kim Min-seong said, “I just became an adult and wore the Lotte uniform, and now I have become a veteran. When I was a rookie, I was just excited, but now I feel a heavy sense of responsibility.” He added, “I quenched my thirst for winning at LG last year. However, I am still thirsty for winning at Lotte.” “I want to spread the ‘energy of winning,’” he said .Lotte is preparing for a leap forward in the 2024 season by signing a contract with coach Kim Tae-hyung, a ‘championship contractor’ .Kim Min-seong said, “I have never played on the same team as coach Tae-hyung Kim, but I know well what kind of style the coach has,” and “I will become a player who suits the baseball that the coach pursues. Lotte fans’ disappointment in letting go of promising player Min-soo Kim will be resolved with good performance. “I want to comfort you,” he pledged .On the 31st, Kim Min-seong leaves for Guam, where the spring camp training center has been set up, with his Lotte colleagues. He said, “It’s really great to start spring camp together,” and “I feel the responsibility of being a player from the popular Lotte team and the pride of being a former LG player who won the championship last year. I will train as best as I can and show a good performance 스포츠토토존 throughout the contract period.” I promised again and again.