For now, it’s right to look for other alternatives.”
SSG Landers is in danger of blowing its ambitious investment of $ 800,000 (about 1 billion won) into the air. This is because the new foreign pitcher, Annie Romero (32), who suffered a shoulder injury during the spring camp, was virtually selected for replacement.
SSG coach Kim Won-hyung met with reporters at the Suwon KT game on the 18th and hinted at a breakup with Romero. Manager Kim said, “(Romero) is receiving treatment in the United States, but if there is no special story, we have to prepare another player. Of course, since the season is in progress, it will be difficult for him to find a replacement player, but he has to find it.”
SSG, which won the combined championship last year with a duo of Wilmer Font and Sean Morimando, made the decision to replace the two players ahead of the 2023 season. Accordingly, on December 8 last year, Kirk McCarty was recruited for a total of $775,000 (about 1 billion won), and Romero was embraced on the 27th at a cost of 1 million dollars (about 1.3 billion won). Among them, expectations were high for Romero, who has played in 137 major league games and 45 Nippon Professional Baseball games. As can be seen from the size of the contract and his career, he was pointed out as the successor to Font.
Romero did well in the first spring camp held in Vero Beach, Florida, USA, but suffered an unexpected injury during the second spring camp in Okinawa, Japan. In early March, he started in a practice game against Samsung and voluntarily gave up due to shoulder pain while pitching. Since then, he has been undergoing long-term rehabilitation for over a month and a half. Romero went to the United States on the 3rd and continues to receive treatment for his shoulder.
However, it is difficult to see this as a measure for a quick comeback. I started treatment in the US with the feeling of grabbing at least a straw, but I still can’t promise to return. The SSG team has already started the process of recruiting a replacement foreign pitcher locally, and the command tower also hinted at a breakup with Romero by taking out words such as alternatives and replacements in an official interview.
Director Kim said, “Actually, even if I receive treatment, April has already passed. Even if he returns, he has to build his body for a month and play in the Futures League. In that case, it is right to look for other alternatives. He revealed a realistic gaze, saying, “Even if it is difficult to find a player, you have to find it.”
He also specifically mentioned the qualification requirements for new foreign pitchers. Manager Kim said, “There is a reference point for foreign pitchers coming to the KBO League. Even if you get hit because your pitch is weak in the major leagues, if you have a breaking ball and have a breaking ball, you can work in Korea. In particular, he has to be the first player,” he said. “We have asked the club to recognize him as the best player possible. I want him to be a pitcher who can satisfy his pitching, position, operational ability, defense, mentality, and chemistry as much as possible.”
Fortunately,토토사이트 SSG is currently running a smooth starting lineup with only one foreign pitcher. Ace Kim Gwang-hyun, who is recovering from a shoulder injury, is scheduled to return on the 21st, and abundant starting resources such as McCarty, Oh Won-seok, Park Jong-hoon, Moon Seung-won, and Song Young-jin are firmly digesting the rotation. Coach Kim said, “If I was in a hurry, I would have found a player quickly. Fortunately, the current starting lineup is functioning normally, so I try not to think impatiently.”
Meanwhile, SSG recruited Romero for a total of $1 million, including an annual salary of $800,000 (about 1 billion won) and an option of $200,000 (about 200 million won). Under the terms of the contract, even if the player leaves as is, he must pay a guaranteed annual salary of $800,000.