Will Reyes Jab Lead to 'Hope' Results in Re-signing of Barnes-Wilkerson
Will Reyes Jab Lead to 'Hope' Results in Re-signing of Barnes-Wilkerson
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The Lotte Giants hope to be accompanied by Charlie Barnes and Aaron Wilkerson, who were the pillars of the mound in the 2024 season, in 2025. Both players have decided on renewing their contracts and are reportedly discussing contract with the start of the stove league.메이저사이트
Lotte renewed its contract with foreign batter Victor Reyes on the 26th for a total of $1.25 million (1.75 billion won), including $1 million (1.4 billion won) in guarantees and $250,000 (350 million won) in incentives.
Reyes has rewritten the history of both the Lotte Giants and the KBO League since his first year in the Korean league. In all 144 games during the 2024 season, he played with a batting average of 0.352, 202 hits, 15 homers, 111 RBIs, 88 points, 46 walks, on-base percentage of 0.394, a slugging percentage of 0.510 and an OPS of 0.904. He stole five bases, but he also displayed remarkable base running capabilities.
On top of that, Reyes broke the record of most hits in the KBO in a single season, which Seo Geon-chang (current KIA Tigers) achieved as a member of the Kiwoom Heroes in 2014. He added two more hits as well as the first 200 hits for a foreign batter, beating Seo Geon-chang to become the main character of the most hits in a single season.
Of course, Lotte has renewed its contract with Reyes after the end of the 2024 season. Reyes also expressed great satisfaction with his life in Korea, and successfully signed his contract.
Lotte also wants to renew contracts with Barnes and Wilkerson. Rather than taking the risk of recruiting other foreign pitchers, the team gave high marks to the skills and experiences of the two players that were proven in the KBO League.
Although it is evident that he was away for nearly a month and a half due to injury this year, he received a report card of nine wins, six losses and an earned run average of 3.35 in 150 ⅔ innings in 25 games. He was more stable in the second half with six wins and four losses and an earned run average of 3.19, in 14 games and 87 ⅓ innings.
Although it was somewhat slowed down compared to the 3rd 28th ERA of 170 ⅓ innings in 30 games in the 2023 season, it was sufficiently observed considering that the KBO League had strong pitching winds this year.
Wilkerson also played the role of ace in 32 games, 196 ⅔ innings with 12 wins and eight losses and an earned run average of 3.84. His weak point is that he has a high ERA, but his strength is durability and consistency as he played the most innings in the league. He also had the fourth highest quality start in the league with 18 innings.
Wilkerson's performance in the second half of last year's 13 games, 79 ⅔ innings, seven wins and two losses, and his earned run average (ERA) of 2.26 seems to have declined slightly compared to that of last year's 13 games and 79 ⅔ innings. In the second half of the year, Wilkerson had four wins and two losses and an ERA of 4.34 in 14 games and 83 innings.
A Lotte official said, "We are negotiating re-signing with both Barnes and Wilkerson," adding, "We are discussing over time because other variables may arise, such as these players signing with major league clubs."
If Barnes and Wilkerson are determined to stay at Lotte, their pay will not be a big issue. Since last year, the KBO League has been mandated to limit the total amount of 4 million U.S. dollars, including salary, incentives, down payment and transfer fees of the three foreign players. With Reyes paying 1.25 million dollars, Lotte has 2.75 million dollars to spare.
Barnes received 1.35 million dollars this year, while Wilkerson received 950,000 dollars. Both players greatly contribute to Lotte's performance in the 2024 season, but it is not easy for the club to demand a significant increase in performance.