Choi Ji-man (32, Pittsburgh Pirates) is suffering from contract contract due to an application for salary adjustment, while Yandy Diaz (32), who was a Platoon System partner during the Tampa Bay Race, succeeded in extending the contract.
Reporter Mark Finesand, such as ‘MLB.com’,메이저놀이터 reported on the 29th (hereinafter Korean time) that Tampa Bay and Diaz signed an extension contract for 3 years and 24 million dollars (about 29.6 billion won). Contract guaranteed until 2025. Reporter Juan Toribo then added, “An option is set for 2026, the fourth year.”
Diaz was eligible to apply for a second salary adjustment this year and was scheduled to become a free agent (FA) after the 2024 season. However, instead of the pain of applying for an annual salary adjustment, he was guaranteed a stable position until 2025 by signing an extension contract with Tampa Bay.
Diaz is familiar to domestic fans as the only first baseman platoon system partner in Tampa Bay. He is a right-handed middle and long-distance hitter who goes between first and third bases, and last year, he recorded a career-high batting average of 2.59 6 Lee (140 hits in 473 bats), 9 homers, 57 RBIs, and 71 runs. OPS .824 in 137 games. He made an impressive season, including winning votes in the MVP vote.
With this extension contract, it is like being recognized as a key resource in Tampa Bay, away from being the only platoon system partner. Tampa Bay signed a 4-year, 31 million dollar (approximately 38.3 billion won) contract with left-hander starter Jeffrey Springs this week, and a 3-year, 12 million dollar (approximately 14.8 billion won) contract extension with right-handed bullpen fireballer Pete Fairbanks, followed by Diaz. He is continuing the move to hold on to key players.
On the other hand, in the case of Choi Ji-man, after being traded to Pittsburgh, he is once again struggling with an annual salary agreement. If an agreement on salary cannot be reached, the adjustment application process is expected to open. Choi Ji-man is asking for 5.4 million dollars (6.6 billion won), and the Pittsburgh club set Choi Ji-man’s annual salary at 4.65 million dollars (about 5.7 billion won). If the salary adjustment application process is opened, the player or club must accept the salary of the side that raises their hand.
Even if the salary demanded by Choi Ji-man is met, it will not exceed Diaz’s average annual salary. They were once platoon partners, but now the value of being evaluated has changed.