Doosan Bears re-sign outfielder Jung Soo-bin on six-year deal

Doosan Bears' outfielder Jung Soo-bin, right, poses for a photo after signing his free agent contract on Wednesday. [YONHAP]

The Doosan Bears have re-signed outfielder Jung Soo-bin on a six-year deal, meaning the Seoul club is now two in, two out in the free agent market.

The Bears announced Wednesday that they re-signed free agent Jung on a six-year contract at a maximum 5.6 billion won ($5.1 million) including a 1.6 billion won signing bonus, 3.6 billion won in salary and 400 million won in options.

Jung is the fourth Doosan free agent to sign a contract this year and the second to return to the club. Third baseman Heo Kyoung-min signed a four-year deal with the Bears last week, while second baseman Choi Joo-hwan and first baseman Oh Jae-il have both accepted offers from other clubs — Choi has moved to the SK Wyverns and Oh to the Samsung Lions.

From the Doosan squad, pitchers Yoo Hee-kwan and Lee Yong-chan and infielder Kim Jae-ho remain unsigned.

Jung was drafted by the Bears in the fifth round of the second rookie draft in 2009. He joined the lineup straight away, appearing in 85 games in the 2009 season before building his way up to 128 appearances in 2011.

Jung was part of Doosan's Korean Series winning squad in 2015, 2016 and 2019. He was named the Korean Series MVP in 2015 after hitting 0.571 with eight hits, five RBIs and a home run in 14 at bats.

He finished the 2020 season after appearing in 141 games with a 0.298 batting average with 84 runs, 59 RBIs and five homers. Across his career with the Bears, Jung is batting 0.282 with 637 runs, 386 RBIs and 24 home runs.

Jung was reportedly being courted by the Hanwha Eagles in the free agent market, but ultimately chose to stay with Doosan.

After signing the new contract, Jung thanked the club for the opportunity and said he is proud to be a one-club "Bearsman." He also promised to run even harder next season.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]