Trade Winds of Chaos

During this stove league period, we were pretty busy preparing for the move to Gocheok Dome. We set up our front office in one of the offices inside the dome, and even my desk was nicely arranged. Moving from Mokdong Baseball Stadium to Gocheok Dome meant better facilities all around, so not just the players but the front office staff looked thrilled too.

With some time left before spring camp, Seon-ah and I took a week-long trip around the country. We didn't have enough time for overseas, so we stuck to domestic spots. Being a manager came with way more work than I'd expected. Luckily, our organization handled most things through the front office, so the manager didn't have a ton to do during the stove league. Well... actually, it wasn't so lucky.

Another wave of trades was brewing. The ones I pushed for weren't going anywhere, but the club's proposals were sailing through smoothly. They were trading our pitcher Kim Woo-dae for Choi Tae-in. I couldn't fathom why, but the answer was the usual: "It's the owner's decision."

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Yoo Jun-han had left as a FA, but we'd retained Lee Geun-taek, and honestly, we needed pitchers more than hitters. Swapping Kim Woo-dae for Choi Tae-in? It was baffling. Choi Tae-in wasn't bad by any means—high utility value. With Park Byung-hyun headed to MLB, bringing in a first baseman made some sense. But we already had Kim Kang-jun. Things were starting to feel unsettling. It seemed like the front office had already made up their minds.

On the brighter side, trading a promising rookie after just one year would probably draw a ton of backlash. Especially one doing as well as him—fans wouldn't stand for it. A few days passed, and then the GM told me we were waiving Seo Dong-hoon to the Gwangju Tigers for free. I'd heard of cash trades, but a straight-up free trade? First time.

"What's a free trade?"

"Exactly what it sounds like. Just handing him over to the Gwangju Tigers."

"Why? No player in return? Why?"

That single word—"Why?"—was all I could muster. A pro club doing a favor for another team for free? It made no sense. Was the owner taking kickbacks or something? How else do you explain a free trade?

Seo Dong-hoon was a utility hitter. Switch-hitter, could play every position in the field, solid BQ. Sure, he wasn't elite everywhere, but from a manager's view, he was a godsend. Essential for player stamina management too. I'd even planned to use rookie Ju Hyo-seong as a backup catcher if he didn't pan out elsewhere. And now... free trade?

"For the greater good, giving him a chance elsewhere?" Yeah, right. As a backup here, he wasn't suddenly starting for another team either.

"What power do I have? The owner says do it."

"Ha... GM, if you're just gonna do whatever the owner wants, why have a GM? The owner can do it himself."

"You little... that's crossing the line."

"Ha... sorry. I'm just floored."

I'd let my anger get the better of me and overstepped with the GM. But ridiculous was ridiculous. That sealed it—no re-signing with this club.

Honestly, until Lee Ji-seung and Kim Kang-jun jumped ship, I'd considered building my career here. The 400 points from the integrated championship were part of it, and better results as manager could open doors to playing again. Sure, you could say why obsess over playing with this gift, but I still craved the life of a pro ballplayer I hadn't fully lived. Doing well and doing what you love aren't the same.

Hitting an RBI or a homer, flashing Gold Glove defense, soaking in the crowd's roar—that's my dream. Sure, as manager, fans love and cheer for me too, but I always wondered: What would it feel like if I was out there with my guys? "Someday, I'll stand there too." To make it happen, we needed results, but my attachment to the manager role was fading fast.

I'd saved those 400 points from the championship win. Used right, I could bump my stats to 30 overall. Spread evenly or focus on one? I hadn't decided. Better to hold until truly needed—synergies between stats were still a mystery, and there was so much I didn't know.

...

Our spring camp was set for Arizona again. Winning last year probably earned us the good treatment. FA money haul helped too, I figured. When I asked the GM for the camp roster, he put it together.

Last year's standouts Jo Sang-hoon and Han Hyun-ho were iffy for this season. Jo had elbow issues, scheduling Tommy John surgery. Han had already done it, so basically out for the year—no camp for him. Our camp priority: build pitching depth. Check and develop the new arms.

Alongside promising draftees Jeon Sang-hyuk, Choi Sang-young, and Shin Ha-jin, the owner scooped a release from Suwon Wiz on a free contract. Surprisingly decent stats—baffling why they cut him. Mental was a bit low compared to velocity and others, but I could fix that. Camp would be about raising these guys for the season.

Pierce Band, Coelho, and Lee Ji-seung for the rotation core. Scout the rest for 4th and 5th starters, check form. Hitters too—rework positions with Choi Tae-in aboard. Huge losses, but this lineup could contend again. Last year was just that good.

...

"One! Two! Three! Four!"

Arizona spring camp always kicked off with running. For any ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠ballplayer—hitter or pitcher—legs are king. Last year's lower-body focus got us through injury-free. Solid base means stable delivery, better control for pitchers. Transfers power fully from legs to shoulder/elbow—higher velo. Spreads load evenly, less arm strain despite the speed.

Hitters need it for stable swings, contact foundation, power source. New guys struggled hard at first, couldn't keep up. Choi Tae-in said he'd never seen a team run like this—too gassed for practice. But vets and rookies alike gritted through my orders, tasting blood in their throats.

Rookies wondered if this was normal—we ran like mad. Still, they pushed, knowing quitting meant no 1st-team roster. Even last year's star Kim Kang-min and veteran captain Lee Geun-taek followed without complaint.

I owed Lee Geun-taek big time. Ten years my senior, zero backtalk. He'd rein in grumblers too. As captain, he enforced discipline but led by example—no one could argue. Last year, squeezed by starters, I still used him in key spots. Captain's presence matters.

As newcomers adapted to my style, I felt good about our chances. Just nail the rotation now.