Lee Seung-yeop Comes Back Empty-Handed... Next Month, He Returns to U.S. to Negotiate Again

Lee Seung-yeop, 27 years old, came back to Korea.

After about a week-long trip to the U.S. with his wife, Lee Song-jung, starting from November 18, Lee Seung-yeop returned home on November 27. He said at his U.S. arrival interview, “I came here half for business and the other half for a break.” However the business part didn’t work out well and because of this, he couldn’t rest well. Let me arrange the events of the U.S. visit this past week.

The team which wanted him…

Seattle Mariners and L.A. Dodgers. As soon as Lee arrived, he called Safeco Field in Seattle and then received a cordial reception during his visit to Dodger Stadium. The teams he officially came to visit were these two teams. Anaheim Angels, which had been regarded as one of the strong candidates, washed their hands of this affair. Baltimore Orioles only expressed their interest.

The team which he wanted…

It is the L.A. Dodgers. Lee Seung-yeop, at an on-the-spot interview before leaving L.A. on November 27, said, “I still will not change my mind to play for the Dodgers.” Though he remarked, “I have taken a liking for this ballpark and the people are like family,” after visiting Dodger Stadium, it seems that he had it on his mind to play for the Dodgers even before his trip to the U.S. The Dodgers, which Park Chan-ho (Texas Rangers) formerly pitched for, play in L.A. where there are plenty of Korean residents, so it is the best place for Lee, a shy guy, to adjust to and live in the surroundings.

A bid suggested to him….

Rumors are divided about whether he will receive a $450,000 salary, $3 million for three years, or other choices. But nothing is verified. Lee said, “What people who are around me talk about is not true except what I and my agent say.” John Kim, Lee’s agent at SFX, on a phone call said, “The salary range is more than $1 million.” This sum does not live up to Lee’s expectations of a salary between $1.5 and $2 million per year. There might also be several options included, perhaps a variable salary based on performance and the possibility of accepting a demotion to the minor leagues. It is disappointing.

What he worried about…

“Money or Dream” that is the question. If he follows the money, staying at Samsung is the safe thing to do. However if he draws the sword in an intrepid spirit, can he put up the sword without cutting anything? He absolutely has no inducement to regenerate himself. If he follows the dream, then he has to lower his head a little. He has to tolerate a small salary and may have to accept playing in the minor leagues for the benefit of his team.

Nevertheless, he is a national hitter and pioneer. Lee Seung-yeop has to set a good example to his following players who dream of playing for Major League Baseball. He does not have to sign a contract with a U.S. team which considers Korean baseball as slightly inferior.

He said, “I am expected to go back to the States again on December.” Lee’s move to the States shows that this may be a “long battle.”

Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com