Can Choi Ji-man (Pittsburgh Pirates) win the salary adjustment hearing again?
Ahead of the 2021 season, Choi Ji-man defeated the captain of the Tampa Bay Rays at a salary adjustment hearing and won.
Choi Ji-man’s performance in 2018 and 2019 was dazzling. There was definitely a factor in his impression.
But this time it’s different. There aren’t many factors to impress. For three years from 2020 to last season, Choi Ji-man had a batting average below the league average. Last season, both the on-base percentage and slugging percentage were lower than the previous season.
Still, Choi Ji-man is demanding an annual salary increase of 2.2 million dollars (about 2.7 billion won).
Pittsburgh also recognized a sort of seniority according to MLB service time, and offered an increase of 1.45 million dollars (approximately 1.8 billion won) from last season.
At the hearing, players and club lawyers present their arguments in defense of each other’s positions.
Then, after taking a short break, they go through the process of refuting each other’s claims.
In this process, the club clearly points out the player’s weaknesses. This is a point that can escalate into an emotional battle. 슬롯사이트
Because of this, Nolan Arenado and Mookie Betts eventually left the team after winning the hearing.
After hearing the arguments of both sides, the three arbitration hearing members will raise one side’s hand after one or two days.
Even if Choi Ji-man loses, he will receive a salary increase of 1.8 billion won compared to last season, so he will not lose money.
Lose or lose, however, his chances of continuing to play in Pittsburgh don’t look very good. This is because he will become a free agent at the end of this season anyway. Small-market Pittsburgh can’t offer a multi-year contract to only Choi.
Choi Ji-man will also want to be valued in the FA market.
At the hearing, which will be held in February, attention is focusing on who will win.