“FA status, can sign with any club, including foreign ones”
LG general manager Cha Myeong-seok “I found out about it after reading the article”

The American professional baseball Major League (ML requested an identity check for left-handed pitcher Ham Deok-ju (28, LG Twins).

On the 30th, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) said, “We received a request from the MLB Secretariat to check the status of LG Ham Deok-ju,” and added, “The player is a free agent (FA) and can sign a contract with any club, including overseas clubs.” “I have been notified,” he said.

Requesting an identity check is a preliminary procedure that overseas clubs take to recruit Korean players. Although requesting a background check does not guarantee a big league contract, it can be expected that there will be MLB teams that have shown interest in Ham Deok-ju.

LG general manager Cha Myeong-seok, who attended an awards ceremony that day, said, “I found out about it after reading the article. “I have not heard anything in advance,” he said. “Like other FAs, negotiations with Ham Deok-ju are in progress. “I guess we’ll just have to see how he does.”

Ham Deok-ju, who debuted in the KBO League in 2013 wearing a Doosan Bears uniform, was traded to LG ahead of the 2021 season. After the transfer, he struggled for two years due to injuries and surgery, but survived with 4 wins, 0 losses, 16 holds, 4 saves, and an ERA of 1.62 by taking responsibility for 55⅔ innings in 57 games in the 2023 season. Deok-Joo Ham contributed to LG's overall victory this year with consistent pitching.

His KBO league career records are 35 wins, 21 losses, 49 holds, 59 saves, and an earned run average of 3.50 in 397 games.

Meanwhile, the MLB Secretariat previously requested identity checks on Lee Jeong-hoo (Kiwoom Heroes) and Go Woo-seok (LG).

Lee Jeong-hoo and Ko Woo-seok, who have not yet obtained free agency qualifications after seven years as professional players, are seeking to enter the United States through the posting system with the permission of the club.

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