Brothers Sign Chiang Kun-Yu to Largest CPBL Contract
You don’t need to be a power hitter to land a massive contract in the CPBL!
Less than a month after the Dragons signed free agent Chen Tzu-Hao to a mega-contract (5+5 years worth $4.33 million USD), the record has already been surpassed by the Brothers.
On January 24, the CTBC Brothers announced that they had signed their primary shortstop, 江坤宇 (Chiang Kun-Yu), to a 10-year contract extension worth $4.93 million USD (147,880,000 NTD), making it the largest contract in CPBL history.
“Since 2020, Chiang Kun-Yu has been an active part of the Brothers’ first team, showcasing exceptional and consistent performance on both offence and defence. His ability to read the game also stands out among many young talents in the league,” said the Brothers’ general manager in an interview with Liberty Sports.
Note: Since the foreign exchange rates often fluctuate, for the sake of consistency, I prefer to use 30 NTD to 1 USD as the exchange rate on this blog.
CTBC Brothers 江坤宇 (Chiang Kun-Yu) makes an acrobatic jump throw to 1st base for the out. #CPBL pic.twitter.com/dJnuYTtJhL
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) August 19, 2024
Breaking Down Chiang’s 10-Year Deal
According to the team, this is a guaranteed 10-year contract, with the $4.93 million package including a $333,000 performance incentive.
The deal also features a player option and a conditional opt-out after year seven. Under the terms of the contract, Chiang Kun-Yu’s annual salary for years 8, 9, and 10 will be guaranteed at a minimum of $480,000. However, if the Brothers offer him less than $600,000 annually for those years, Chiang can exercise the opt-out and declare free agency after year seven.
Alternatively, Chiang Kun-Yu may choose to exercise his player option at the end of year seven, accepting a salary of at least $480,000 annually from the Brothers and finishing the final three years of the deal.
“We decided to include a player option and a conditional opt-out after year seven to ensure flexibility for both parties,” the Brothers’ general manager told CNA. “Chiang will not be able to exercise his opt-out clause if the team offers him at least $600,000 annually for years 8, 9, and 10.”
The Brother’s general manager told the media that he thinks it’s becoming a trend in the CPBL to lock down high-profile players with lengthy contracts. From the team’s perspective, signing Chiang Kun-Yu for a long-term deal is definitely worth it.
2024 #WBSC Premier12
Team Taiwan’s 江坤宇 (Chiang Kun-Yu) makes a slick diving stop and throws to first base in time for the out. pic.twitter.com/LmxeRpYsJO
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) November 23, 2024
Ten Years Salary Structure (Sources: Brothers’ press release, CNA, Liberty Sports)
- 2025 – $264,000
- 2026 – $312,000
- 2027 – $360,000
- 2028 – $420,000
- 2029 – At least $480,000
- 2030 – ?
- 2031 – ?
- 2032 – At least $480,000. Can opt out if less than $600,000
- 2033 – ?
- 2034 – ?
2024 #WBSC Premier12
The Corgi is very dangerous! 江坤宇 (Chiang Kun-Yu) extends Team Taiwan’s lead to 6-2 with a bases-clearing triple. pic.twitter.com/XTNwjoTto8
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) November 22, 2024
Quick Facts About Chiang Kun-Yu
- 24-year-old shortstop
- 2018 3rd round pick
- 5x Gold Glove (2020-24)
- 4x Best Ten Award (2021-24)
- Taiwan Series Outstanding Player (2020)
- Team Taiwan World Baseball Classic (2023), slashing .333/.357/.417
- Team Taiwan WBSC Premier12 (2024), slashing .292/.393/.542
- 2019 Season: Rookie Year (7 PA)
- 2020 Season: 88 OPS+ (442 PA)
- 2021 Season: 93 OPS+ (488 PA)
- 2022 Season: 141 OPS+ (465 PA)
- 2023 Season: 115 OPS+ (457 PA)
- 2024 Season: 101 OPS+ (374 PA)
- Nicknames: Corgi, Cutie, Strawberry Milk, National Son
CTBC Brothers 江坤宇 (Chiang Kun-Yu) ends the game with a walk-off solo shot in the bottom of the 10th inning. #CPBL pic.twitter.com/VVDpHkKorA
— CPBL STATS 🪬🔮 (@GOCPBL) August 23, 2023