Hanwha Eagles infielder Noh Si-hwan has signed a groundbreaking contract that surpasses the legendary Choi Jeong of the SSG Landers, raising questions about whether he can create an unprecedented deal.
On October 23, Hanwha announced that it had signed Noh to an 11-year contract worth a total of 30.7 billion won, including options. This is the longest and largest contract in KBO League history, encompassing both free agent and non-free agent agreements. The contract also includes a clause allowing Noh to enter Major League Baseball through posting after this season.
The deal has shocked many, as discussions about a long-term contract between Noh and Hanwha had been ongoing, but the 11-year duration and the unexpected 30 billion won figure exceeded expectations.
Moreover, Noh's single contract amount surpasses the total of Choi's three free agent contracts, which totaled 30.2 billion won (4 years at 8.6 billion won, 6 years at 10.6 billion won, and 4 years at 11 billion won). A Hanwha official explained, "The total amount symbolizes our hope that Noh will become a player who surpasses Choi." In addition to the total amount, Noh's average annual salary of 2.79 billion won is higher than Choi's 2.16 billion won.
Noh and Choi share several similarities, including being third basemen, right-handed power hitters, and having received military benefits that allowed them to quickly secure spots on the first-team roster and obtain free agent status. However, Noh will be 26 years old at the start of the 2027 season, while Choi was 28 during his first season after his initial free agency in 2015. Given that age is a significant factor in the free agent market and that the value of money decreases over time, it is understandable that Noh received more than Choi. However, unlike Choi, who signed three free agent contracts, Noh's long-term deal makes him more vulnerable to injury risks.
As a result, Hanwha fans are likely to align their expectations with those set by Choi. Choi was widely regarded as having signed a bargain deal out of loyalty to the team during his first free agency, and he demonstrated trust in the organization with his second and third contracts as well. From the 2015 season to the 2025 season, Choi recorded a total WAR (Wins Above Replacement) of 53.99, averaging 4.91 WAR per season. This means the team spent about 560 million won per WAR. Noh recorded a WAR of 4.88 last season, and in his career-high 2023 season, he achieved an impressive WAR of 6.74.
Noh has effectively signed a lifetime contract with Hanwha. As he embarks on this non-free agent multi-year deal from the 2027 season to the 2037 season, the question remains whether he can surpass Choi's records. If Noh can maintain performance similar to Choi's without fluctuations, the current perception of him being 'overpaid' could shift to that of an 'unprecedented bargain deal.'
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.