Posted January. 03, 2011 10:50,
The term hot stove league comes up in baseballs offseason, bringing to mind images of gathering around a hot stove in the cold winter months to discuss signings and deals of players.
The players making the most noise in this years hot stove league are Lotte Giants slugger Lee Dae-ho, Hanwha Eagles pitcher Ryu Hyun-jin and SK Wyverns lefty ace Kim Kwang-hyun. The three are demanding huge raises from their respective teams.
Lee is getting the most attention. He was the leagues best hitter last year by hitting a home run in nine straight games, a world record, and leading the league in seven offensive categories.
He did not specify how much he wants but said, This affects my dignity. I want to be paid for what Ive done. Earning 390 million won (350,000 U.S. dollars) last year, Lee is aiming for 700 million won (625,000 dollars), which would tie the mark set by Doosan Bears slugger Kim Dong-ju as the highest in the Korean leagues history.
Lee will become free agent after the end of the 2011 season, and Lotte will have to pay a premium to keep him afterwards. Other players paid a huge amount just before gaining free agency include Lee Seung-yeop (410 million won or 357,000 dollars to 630 million won or 563,000 dollars), Sim Jeong-su (310 million won or 267,000 dollars to 600 million won or 536,000 dollars), and Kim Tae-kyun (290 million won or 259,000 dollars to 420 million won or 375,000 dollars).
How much of a raise Lee Dae-ho will receive is difficult to predict.
Hanwha`s Ryu was also among the leagues top players last season with 29 consecutive quality starts and a record 17 strikeouts in nine innings. He went 16-4 with an earned run average of 1.82.
The pitcher made last season 270 million won (241,000 dollars), the highest for a player in his fifth year, and is asking for 300 million won (268,000 dollars) this season, which is the record for a sixth-year player set by Lee Seung-yeop in 2000.
Ryu could also ask for 320 million won (286,000 dollars), which would tie the record for a seventh-year player set by Lee Dae-ho in 2007.
SK pitcher Kim had his best season as a pro last season after six months of rehabilitation, going 17-7 with an ERA of 2.37. He also pitched a career-high 193 and 2/3 innings last season.
He is expected to ask for more than 270 million won (241,000 dollars) from SK.