Short Rehab and an Even Briefer Four-Inning Stint
It had been a short rehab period and an even shorter four-inning appearance, but Tae-woong had proven he could still throw his pitches. Considering how the second-team coaches nodded approvingly at his outing without a word of criticism and said nothing about his next start, it looked like he'd be called up to the first team in just a few days.
Still, it had been his first real game action in a while, so maybe some fatigue had built up in his body—he hit the sack right after dinner.
"They were up 5-1 through six last I saw, so they must've won, right?"
The moment Tae-woong opened his eyes in the morning, he checked the results from yesterday's game. He'd wanted to watch through the ninth, but his eyes had closed on him without warning. What he saw was truly horrifying.
'Bullpen Allows 32 Runs in Last 5 Games' – Wiz Bullpen Turns into a Powder Keg
Yu Ha-jun Removed from First Team Due to Fatigue – Kang Baek-ho Starts in Right Field
When Will Eagles Play Starter's Baseball? – Native Starters Continue to Struggle…
Shim Woo-joo's .092 Average in Last 20 Games – Any Solutions?
Wiz Lose 4 Straight in Comeback Fashion + Defensive Errors and Bullpen Fires
Kang Baek-ho Ankle Injury on Outfield Play, Limited to Pinch-Hitting in 4 Straight Games
Best Rotation, Worst Lineup – How Far Will Wiz's Imbalance Go?
Articles with utterly negative titles filled the screen, as if things couldn't get any worse. But even more grim was the Wiz's current standing.
"Wiz in seventh? They dropped another spot? Did someone hack the leaderboard and rig it? Was it you?"
Who'd be dumb enough to do that? And I don't know how to do anything complicated like hacking.
"Computer-illiterate bastard…."
Hey, Tae-woong hyung, isn't that a bit harsh? Calling the system computer-illiterate.
"Hmph, sorry. My bad."
Tae-woong couldn't accept the reality of Wiz sitting in seventh, so he refreshed the page, but nothing changed. Ace was right.
"Seriously seventh…."
Seven's the lucky number! Lucky seven, right? Think positive.
Ace was gleefully teasing Tae-woong like it was someone else's problem. The Bears, who had briefly lost first place to Wiz, hadn't missed their chance as Wiz started slipping. They'd reclaimed the top spot at the beginning of April and held it for over a month now.
"Eagles dropped too? Still, they're in better shape than us."
Looks like fifth place—hanging on the edge of playoffs, and the gap to the top isn't that bad.
The Hana Eagles, who had been up top with Wiz and the Bears early in the season, had fallen to fifth, but at least they were better off than Wiz.
Hey, there's an Eagles article in the middle. Says they can't do starter's baseball. Total opposite of Wiz.
Tae-woong read the article Ace pointed out and commented.
"Huh? Yeah, reading it, that seems right."
Check the comments on that article—they're saying mix Wiz and Eagles players and split 'em back up. Might not get first, but the two teams could take second and third.
"Sounds plausible. The problem is it's impossible to pull off."
Stuff like that makes you wonder if they're geniuses or idiots….
"Like you?"
Shut up and get ready for practice. If you're a crap pitcher, at least build some stamina. You gonna whine after just four innings?
"Ouch, right in the bones."
Despite his grumbling, he got ready quickly. He knew he had shortcomings too.
Squeeeak.
Easy there—you're gonna burst a vein in your foot.
Tae-woong had tied his laces extra tight so they wouldn't come undone even after a long run, then headed out of the room.
"Ten light laps should do it. Then breakfast—hope they've got some fresh meat options."
It was a Sunday morning in May. As Tae-woong stretched somewhere in Iksan, Jeonbuk, there was movement at the Suwon home of the Wiz first team.
Wiz Park manager's office. Kim Jin-woong had summoned the coaches earlier than usual.
"Everyone here? Sorry to drag you in so early. Things aren't exactly relaxed right now."
As Kim Jin-woong said from his seat at the head, Wiz was in dire straits.
Slurp.
After downing a sip of canned coffee, Manager Kim Jin-woong took charge of the emergency meeting.
"Alright, let's have quick summaries on your players' situations, starting with the starters."
Pitching Coach Jeong Myeong-eon spoke up.
"Fairband and Napert are in good form. The other three are holding at least through five even on off days."
"Okay. Keep an eye on Napert's stamina—he's older, might fade in summer. Next."
The bullpen coach followed.
"Bullpen's been solid overall. But against lefty-heavy lineups, we'd like one more reliable lefty we can trust."
"So the issue is…?"
"Lately results have dipped. Probably mental and physical fatigue from all the tight games since the start."
Having succeeded as both player and pitching coach, Manager Kim Jin-woong had the answer ready.
"Hmm… From now on, no three straight outings for the pen, and cap two straight at 40 pitches. Can't afford to lose one."
"Got it."
Now it was the hitting and defense coaches' turn.
"Slumps hitting our core bats one after another—games are out of sync. Big gap between top and bottom of the order. Other teams are similar except Bears, but our 7-8-9 are hopeless. Maybe bench them, let 'em find form in Double-A, rotate backups."
Defense coach next.
"Ha-jun's age and stamina are issues. Keep Baek-ho in right with his cannon arm, find a left fielder elsewhere. Shortstop's basic errors persist despite rotating three guys…."
After hearing everyone out, Manager Kim Jin-woong closed his eyes briefly.
Only one option left….
After the morning emergency meeting, it was business as usual: players and coaches arriving at Wiz Park for individual and team training, then games. And they lost the finale of the weekend series, as usual.
Glug.
Back home, Manager Kim Jin-woong cracked open a canned beer while watching Wiz highlights on his big TV.
"Not much of a drinker—head's already spinning after a few sips."
As mental fatigue peaked and drowsiness set in with the booze, his phone rang.
Sunbae-nim. It's Han Young-deok. Sorry to call so late. Can you talk?
The caller was his close junior, newly appointed Eagles manager Han Young-deok. The Eagles had also lost after their starter couldn't last three innings, and exhaustion and stress seeped through the phone.
"Ah, yeah. Han, good work today. What's up this late?"
Sunbae-nim, how about a trade with us?
Hearing that snapped Manager Kim Jin-woong sober, fatigue vanishing.
"Uh, sorry. Hold on a sec?"
Yes, sunbae-nim.
Gulp.
"Mm, mm, mm."
Manager Kim Jin-woong pulled the phone away, swallowed, cleared his throat.
Trade!
Honestly, the thought hadn't been far off. Two weeks ago, Dinosaurs had proposed one, but cards didn't match after days of tug-of-war, and it fizzled. Now Wiz was in even worse shape. Criticism and jeers about another last-place finish were bubbling up from fans and media. Such opinions affected not just players but coaches and the parent company. Unlike revenue-driven MLB or NPB, KBO clubs prioritized corporate image. And managers bore the blame for results.
The job was short-term contract, enduring fan abuse after every game—a grueling role. Many suffered mystery illnesses, baldness, rapid aging after 1-2 years. Yet they accepted for one reason: honor as baseball men.
Can't let it happen twice.
Kim Jin-woong had been fired from Bears just months after a Korea Series runner-up finish.
This time, I'll reach the top. By any means, if it's fair.
When a team hit rock bottom, you had to flip the vibe somehow. Trades were the midseason nuclear option—first duty was cycling first- and second-teamers for the best lineup. But Wiz already had eight Double-A standouts in the first-team roster with no turnaround. Reports from second team showed no more talent to promote.
Hear their terms first.
Before yielding to the trade temptation, he'd stall once more—to probe who Eagles wanted.
He picked up the phone again.
"Sorry about that. Choked on some cold water bad."
No problem, sunbae-nim.
"Right. You want a starter, yeah?"
Yes. Just plug one hole in the rotation and we'd be fine, but the hole's too big—no one fits.
As expected….
It made sense. Eagles boasted the best value foreign trio, bullpen covering every role with league-best dominance, solid D infield and outfield, smart runners who executed tactics. Sounded flawless, but they were just fifth of ten.
Baseball's a pitcher's game…. And starters matter most.
Wiz's 3-4-5 starters were all performing steadily—any would tempt Eagles.
Tae-woong's back to first team soon anyway… spot fills quick.
Manager Kim Jin-woong decided: whoever they wanted, he'd accept if he got his pieces.
"Alright, who is it?"
The player we want is Seo Tae-woong.
An unexpected answer. Manager Kim Jin-woong blurted loudly without thinking.
"What? Hold on—you said who?"
Unlike the flustered manager slipping into casual speech, Han Young-deok stayed composed.
The player we want to bring via trade is Seo Tae-woong. The '99-born lefty drafted this year, currently in Double-A with injury.