Two media outlets reported that Kim Min-sung will wear Lotte's uniform in the form of a sign-and-trade. The second report added that Kim Min-soo has been selected as a target of the trade from Lotte. At the same time, however, both LG and Kim's agencies were reluctant to confirm anything.
It seems certain that negotiations between Kim Min-sung and LG are not smooth. Kim Min-sung's agency had sign-and-trade in mind during last year's negotiations. However, it was not realized, but Lotte emerged as a "catfish" through this report.
However, according to the explanations of officials closely related to the issue on the 25th, it is true that Kim Min-sung negotiated with Lotte in consideration of the recent move to sign and trade, but even this stage has not been concluded. As the negotiation window is open, there is still a possibility of a transfer to Lotte, but there is also a possibility that it will end up happening.
"To become a sign-and-trade, Kim must reach an agreement with Lotte first. I didn't hear anything about the deal with Lotte yet," LG Twins general manager Cha Myung-seok said. "Negotiations with Kim Min-sung have not made progress for a long time," Cha said. "The team presented Kim Min-sung with a plan to train his leadership in addition to the amount we thought. I delivered the final draft in December last year, and I haven't heard from him since then. I'm waiting." It happened around 6 p.m.
Afterwards, an agency source said, "We are still cautious. It is not the time to say that we have reached a conclusion," adding, "We are still negotiating with Lotte on the terms of the contract. We are communicating over the phone as we have a schedule in Japan that is currently scheduled." Regarding LG's proposal, he said, "We agonized over other conditions, including training for leaders, as the first proposal was the final draft." It sounded like the deal also did not close the possibility of negotiations with LG.
Sign-and-trade is usually conducted like this, which is made at the suggestion of a player. When a player completes negotiations with a new club first, negotiations take place over the terms of the trade between the respective clubs. According to Cha Myung-seok, the team's general manager, and the agency, the team had not even passed the first section until Saturday evening. After Lotte completes negotiations with Kim Min-sung and discusses benefits in return for trade with LG, the sign-and-trade will be completed then. As the spring camp is imminent, chances are high that it will be concluded as one of the two teams soon.
Coincidentally, the process in which Kim Min-sung wears an LG uniform was also a sign-and-trade. It was decided near the end of the spring camp on March 5, 2019. In order to prevent player leakage, LG recruited Kim Min-sung through a sign-and-trade method that added cash, not by recruiting FA. It was worth 1.8 billion won for three years (down payment of 300 million won, annual salary of 400 million won, annual incentive of 100 million won). It delivered 500 million won in trade money to Kiwoom, not players.
After the transfer was decided, Kim Min-sung joked, "I want to sign as the first player in the next FA," but this time, the words did not become a reality again. On the 25th, Hong Gun-hee signed a contract with the Doosan Bears to remain in the market for up to 2.45 billion won for 2+2 years, and the only FA left in the market is Kim Min-sung and Sovereignty.