Baseball: A Two-Way Player-Chapter 592 - 144: Posting Negotiations (Part 3)

"Best Newcomer, two-time MVP, four-time Pitching Champion, Five Crown King, Eiji Sawamura Award... In the honor book of Nippon Professional Baseball, the 20-year-old Guanglai has already achieved 'complete domination'... If he stays in Japan, what more can he pursue? If I may be frank, for any professional player, when their career loses the challenge of goals, they inevitably decline due to lack of motivation—this result is sad for the player and an invisible depreciation of value for the team as well."

"But if Guanglai can step onto the Major League stage..." Nomura Katsuhiko took out several charts from his briefcase and presented them to the SoftBank Hawks' executives, "Guanglai's commercial value is currently the highest on the team, but it's mainly limited to Japan domestically; once he lands in the Major League and stands on the world baseball center stage, the brand effect he brings will be global—by then, Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks will not just be the champions in the hearts of Japanese fans, but a cradle of world-class superstars. This brand elevation and its intangible value will be the brightest calling card of SoftBank Hawks in the future!"

Goto Youkou frowned deeply, just about to speak when Lin Guanglai, who had been silent, spoke up. He stood up and deeply bowed to President Wang Zhenzhi and the executives.

"President Wang, Director Goto, Manager Mikasa, I will always remember that it was SoftBank that chose me three years ago, giving me the chance to challenge Dual Swordsmanship in professional baseball; it was also here that I learned how to become a true professional player..."

Lin Guanglai's voice trembled slightly, but his eyes were incredibly sincere.

"However, there is still a voice inside me that drives me... I want to go to the highest hall in the world to prove myself! I am not leaving the Hawks, I want to carry the spirit of the Hawks to conquer a broader sky! I hope that one day in the future, when people mention me, they will say—look, that is the world-class player who came out of the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks!"

Lin Guanglai's demeanor moved everyone present; even Goto Youkou, who initially wanted to refute something, merely sighed and did not continue to speak.

Nomura Katsuhiko keenly captured this subtle change in atmosphere, so he immediately continued the conversation and proposed a carefully prepared compromise plan.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we are by no means requesting the team to let go unconditionally, for this the player side is also willing to make appropriate compromises." 𝒻𝓇𝑒𝘦𝘸𝑒𝒷𝓃ℴ𝑣𝘦𝑙.𝒸ℴ𝘮

"First, Guanglai is willing to commit to helping the team achieve Japan's Number One three consecutive times this season—if not, he is willing to stay another year."

"Second, after successful posting, he is willing to sign an image ambassador agreement with SoftBank, allowing the team to use his likeness rights for promotion for the specified years after his departure, with priority renewal negotiations possible after subsequent contract expiration."

"Third, if Guanglai chooses to return to Nippon Professional Baseball in the future, he will unconditionally accept any conditions proposed by the SoftBank team—there will be no other choice except returning to SoftBank."

The conference room fell into prolonged silence. Mikasa Sugiyama looked at Director Goto, while Goto Youkou looked at Wang Zhenzhi; Wang Zhenzhi gazed deeply at the young Lin Guanglai and spoke to himself:

"Baseball, after all, is still a sport about dreams—keeping the eagle caged, is it really for its own good? Some birds are born to soar above the nine heavens! A great club should not become a prison that confines the eagle, but should be a platform that lifts him to fly to higher skies."

As if making some resolution, Wang Zhenzhi's subsequent words set the tone for this negotiation: "Actually, the moment Guanglai joined the team, I thought such a moment would come, including the gentleman's agreement in the training plan was set for this, just didn't expect it to come so fast—go ahead, prove yourself in the Major League; if possible, I hope you never come back!"

Wang Zhenzhi's determination made all disputes vanish. Goto Youkou took a deep breath and finally relented: "We need to form a working group to discuss the specific posting time, compensation distribution, and coordination of details."

"Naturally, I will find professionals to take full responsibility." Nomura Katsuhiko took on the task voluntarily.

Hearing this, Lin Guanglai felt a sense of relief wash over him. He stood up again and deeply bowed to those opposite: "Thank you all for your understanding and fulfillment, I will carry the identity of a Hawks player and prove myself on the world stage."