NC Dinos manager Lee Ho-jun said on the 8th, before the game against the Daegu Samsung Lions, "There will be no additional trades until the end of this season."

NC agreed to a trade on the 7th with SSG Landers, giving up outfielder Kim Sung-wook in exchange for one 4th-round draft pick in the 2026 KBO Rookie Draft and 50 million won in cash.

This trade was conducted as a strategic decision for the club's medium- to long-term strength enhancement and future resource acquisition, enabling the team to lay a firmer foundation for its growth through the draft picks.

Amid rumors that NC is pursuing an additional trade involving a national team outfielder A in exchange for a relief pitcher from a provincial team, manager Lee Ho-jun personally took action to quell the situation.

Meeting with reporters before the game on the 8th, manager Lee Ho-jun said, "There will be no additional trades until the end of this season. Recently, there have been trade rumors suggesting we would give up a national team outfielder to acquire a relief pitcher, but that will absolutely not happen."

He added, "I really appreciate the positive evaluation of our team players. However, they are absolutely players we cannot do without. They hold a very significant position in our team’s strength. That player is also going through a tough time because of the trade rumors. You can tell just by their expression that they are not okay."

Manager Lee Ho-jun emphasized, "Even if I tell that player 'There will be no trades,' they will have doubts. I am saying this because I absolutely cannot take it anymore. There will be no trades. Why would we give up a player we cannot do without?"

Meanwhile, right-handed pitcher Shin Min-hyuk, who started against Samsung on the 7th, struggled, throwing for 1⅔ innings, giving up 3 hits (1 home run), 1 walk, and 6 runs (2 earned). Manager Lee Ho-jun explained, "Regardless of the results, it was disappointing to see him appearing uncertain on the mound, tilting his head. The pitcher is the main character standing on the highest place in the field. Everyone is looking at the pitcher, so it’s not acceptable to show such a shaky appearance. That’s why I decided to replace him early."

Replacing a starting pitcher in the 2nd inning was not an easy choice. Manager Lee Ho-jun trusted his solid bullpen and took the risk of an early hook. On the right-handed pitcher Shin Young-woo, who is set to start on the 8th, Lee Ho-jun said, "He may give up hits or home runs. I understand that. However, I cannot tolerate excessive walks. There is no reason to put him on the mound."

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