Rojas Jr. ascended to the throne with the highest batting average of 0.349, 47 home runs, 135 RBI, and OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 1.097 in 142 games in 2020. He was also the first switch hitter to become the home run king in KBO league history. It was natural that an offseason battle would take place over Rojas Jr. Major league teams, Japanese clubs, and even the original team, KT, competed for the maximum amount of money. The winner was Hanshin of the Japanese professional baseball team.
At the time, KT made a huge bet on Rojas Jr.'s stay, betting on a multi-year contract. However, Hanshin’s offer was higher. Japanese professional baseball's annual salary is confidential, but according to media reports, it is known that the two-year contract was made at around $5 million. It was higher than the kt betting amount. Rojas Jr. also had a dream of returning to the major leagues using Japan, which offered a large amount of money, as a stepping stone. But the world did not turn the way he wanted.
Rojas Jr. performed poorly in Japan for two years and failed to make a living. Even though he was the most expensive fielder in the Hanshin club at the time, it was difficult to even get a regular starting spot in the first team. There was a time when he played in the second team. The team gave him several opportunities, but Rojas Jr.'s batting average rarely improved. In Korea, he was a hitter with both accuracy and slugging power, but in Japan, the ball did not hit the bat well. After struggling for two whole years, his contract period came to an end.
There was no suitable place to call Rojas Jr. It was tempting to think of KT as having reservation rights, but Anthony Alford, who joined KT as a replacement foreign player in 2022, was performing well. At the time, KT weighed Alford and Rojas Jr. and ultimately chose Alford. Rojas Jr.'s two-year slump was also a factor, and Alford was younger. If Rojas Jr. was on the decline, Alford believed there was more room to expand.
However, this year, LOHAS Jr. and KT are connecting again. This is because we are in a situation where we need to find a new foreign hitter. Alford recorded a batting average of 0.289, 15 home runs, 70 RBI, 17 stolen bases, and an OPS of 0.812 in 133 games this year. His absolute scores weren't all that bad, but he didn't meet KT's expectations. Moreover, the defensive problem was hardly resolved. It was an Achilles heel for KT, whose corner outfield defense was weak. In the end, he was excluded from the pending player list. The decision is that the contract cannot be renewed.
KT is continuing to negotiate contract renewals with existing pitchers William Cuevas and Wes Benjamin. The general assessment is that they are not players worthy of being targeted by the U.S. or Japan, so there are expectations that an agreement will eventually be reached. Conversely, a new foreign hitter must be found. Rojas Jr., who still has reserve rights, could be an alternative. A high-ranking official from the KT club said, “First of all, we are observing Rojas Jr.’s play.”
Rojas Jr., who spent a year playing in the Mexican League and elsewhere without returning to the Major League this year, is playing in the Dominican Winter League. Players who play in the winter league can be broadly divided into major league players who want to manage their condition and players who want to find a job, and Rojas is the latter. However, Rojas Jr.’s performance is good. He is one of the best hitters in this year's Winter League. He has to think about how he will perform at the level of the Winter League, but his physical condition itself can be seen as not bad. KT's observations are expected to continue. If the results are positive, KT may also be in trouble.
