Kim Dong-joo Can Pay For Everyone's Coffee This Year

HT to the Korea Herald.

The average salary of KBO ballplayers has risen to 86.9 million won(roughly $74K). The KBO pay scale is based more on seniority than talent, but talent helps. Older KBO players generally earn more than the younger guys. First year players only make about 24 million won for their efforts.

34-year old Doosan Bears 3B Kim Dong-joo(.353/.455/.593 slash line) will be the KBO's highest paid player in 2010. Kim will earn 700 million won. Players like Doosan left fielder Kim Hyeon-su and SK ace Kim Kwang-hyeon could have a shot a being the first 1 billion won ballplayers in the KBO, assuming they make it to free agency with something left in the tank AND don't choose to leave for Japan or (gasp) the US.

Unable to Find an Offer in Japan, Kim Dong-ju Returns to Doosan

The Doosan slugger re-upped for one more year with the Bears. I'm assuming he'll try this Japan thing one more time next year. He's tried and failed twice to make the jump across the "East Sea" to the Chiba Lotte Marines. His new deal is said to be worth 700 million won. There's no word on whether or not this will affect his status for the WBC, but I have to think he'll sit that one out.

The Dismantling of Doosan Continues, Kim Dong-ju to sign in the NPB

Doosan Bears slugger Kim Dong-ju is as good as gone. The 32 year old 3rd baseman is seeking greener pastures with the Chiba Lotte Marines of the NPB. According to this, I believe his contract situation should be resolved by the end of the week.



In 11 seasons with the Bears(OB and Doosan), Kim batted a robust .310 with 214 homers and 833 RBI's. Kim's departure coupled with Hong Sung-hoon's defection to the Lotte Giants leaves 2 very large holes in the middle of Doosan's lineup.