[Official] 'Wow' KIA 34-year-old prospective FA hit the jackpot! Kim Do-young finally confirmed 'half-made' and blew a lot of 16 people. 'Official announcement of annual salary contract'

*This content was translated by AI.

KIA Tigers concluded the salary contract with all the players smoothly, signaling a new start to the 2026 season.

The KIA club officially announced on the 15th that it has finalized contracts with 48 people eligible for renewal of their salaries in the 2026 season.

Among the renewal targets, 25 players have been raised, 7 have been frozen, and 16 have been cut. It can be said to be a "blind wind" due to the aftermath of the 2025 season's performance. In the meantime, Oh Sun-woo, who played well in the infield last season, and Kim Ho-ryeong, who entered the ranks of veteran outfielders, will receive an annual salary of hundreds of millions of dollars for the first time since their professional debut. In addition, Cinderella pitcher Sung Young-tak enjoyed the joy of becoming a multi-billion-year salary in his third year of debut.

First, pitcher Jeon Sang-hyun renewed his contract for 310 million won, up 10 million won from 300 million won, becoming the highest-paid player among non-FA renewal targets (excluding foreign players). Jeon Sang-hyun played in a total of 70 games in the 2025 season with a 3.34 ERA. He played a total of 70 innings, recording 7 wins, 5 losses, 1 save, and 32 holds. He walked 20 while striking out 50. The on-base allowance per inning (WHIP) was stable at 1.20, and the hit rate was marked 0.242.

The main character of the team's highest increase rate was Sung Young-tak. It increased 300% from 30 million won to 120 million won. In 45 appearances, he played with 3 wins, 2 losses and 7 holds with a 1.55 ERA. In a total of 52 ⅓ innings, he played a key role in the must-win group with 38 hits (two homers), 13 walks, 30 strikeouts, 11 runs (nine earned) WHIP 0.97 and a 0.209 hit rate.

Rookie pitcher Kim Tae-hyung also renewed his contract at 60 million won, up 100% from 30 million won. Kim Tae-hyung, who wore the KIA uniform as the fifth overall pick in the first round of the 2025 rookie draft, took the mound in eight games and lost three games with a 4.56 ERA without a win. During 23 ⅔ innings, he had 25 hits (four homers), seven walks, 14 strikeouts, 12 runs (12 earned runs) with a WHIP of 1.35 and a 0.272 hit rate.

On the other hand, Jung Hae-young, who played as a closing pitcher, renewed his contract for 300 million won, down 60 million won from the previous 360 million won. Jung Hae-young took the mound in 60 games with 3 wins, 7 losses, 27 saves and a 3.79 ERA, and 75 hits (four home runs), 18 walks, 72 strikeouts and 30 runs (26 earned runs) WHIP 1.51 and a 0.299 hit rate in 61 ⅔ innings.

On the fielder's side, Kim Do-young's cut is also noticeable. Kim Do-young was exactly halved from his annual salary of 500 million won in 2025. Half of them were cut and stamped for 250 million won.

Kim Do-young played in 141 games in the 2024 season and posted a batting average of 0.347 (189 hits in 544 at-bats), 38 homers, 109 RBIs, 143 runs and 40 steals (4 failed), and an on-base percentage of 0.647 OPS (on-base plus slugging percentage) of 1.067. His strong performance during the regular season led to the Korean Series. In the Korean Series, Kim Do-young also enjoyed the joy of winning the championship by batting .235 (4 hits in 17 at-bats) with five RBIs, one stolen base and five walks, including one home run. He then participated in the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) Premier 12 tournament and flew around wearing the national flag. After the season, Kim Do-young swept various trophies, including KBO MVP and third baseman Golden Glove.

But the 2025 season was a nightmare itself. He injured his hamstring three times in total. He was first diagnosed with a partial left hamstring injury in the opening game against the NC Dinos on March 22. He then returned on April 25, about a month later, but collapsed again on May 27 due to a right hamstring injury. After suffering two hamstring injuries, he returned to action on August 5. However, he ended the season with another left hamstring injury against the Sajik Lotte Giants on August 7.

Kim Do-young's 2025 season performance is 0.309 (34 hits in 110 at-bats) with seven home runs in 30 games, nine doubles, 27 RBIs, 20 runs, 3 steals (failed), 10 walks, 23 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.582, an on-base percentage of 0.361, an OPS (on-base percentage + slugging percentage) of 0.943, and a scoring-right batting average of 0.294 with a batting average of 1.

On the other hand, infielder Oh Sun-woo renewed his contract at 120 million won, an increase of 252.9% from 34 million won. In addition, Kim Kyu-sung stamped for 90 million won (38.5% increase) and Yoon Do-hyun stamped for 55 million won (71.9% increase). Outfielder Kim Ho-ryeong was named the highest salary for fielders, signing 250 million won, up 212.5% from 80 million won. Catcher Joo Hyo-sang also renewed his contract at 55 million won, an increase of 11 million won.

Oh Sun-woo played in 124 games in the 2025 season and recorded a batting average of 0.265 . Of the 116 total hits, 18 were home runs, showing excellent slugging power. With a slugging percentage of 0.432 and an OPS of 0.755, he drew attention as a big shot that could always burst a single shot. On top of that, he contributed to the offense by scoring 56 RBIs and 58 runs. However, the scoring batting average was 0.239, which was slightly lower than the season's batting average. While getting 34 walks, he struck out 158 and showed an aggressive swing tendency.

Among outfielders, the growth of "34-year-old pre-agent" Kim Ho-ryeong is definitely noticeable. Kim Ho-ryeong, who joined KIA in 2015, finally spent her career high season in the 2025 season, her 11th year as a professional. He played in a total of 105 games with a batting average of 0.283 (94 hits in 332 times at bat), six home runs, 39 RBIs, 46 runs, 26 doubles, three triples, 34 walks, 94 strikeouts, a slugging percentage of 0.434, an on-base percentage of 0.359, an OPS of 0.793 and a scoring average of 0.270." Above all, he even showed his best defense ability as one of his nicknames, "Horyeong Zone." And for the first time in 12 years since his debut, he has received an annual salary of 100 million won. It signed 250 million won, up 170 million won from the previous 80 million won. It is a huge hit with an increase rate of 212.5 percent.

Meanwhile, the KIA team will depart for Japan through Gimpo Airport on the 23rd. The KIA team will set up its first spring camp on Amami-Oshima, a remote island in Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, and start a fierce training session.

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*This content was translated by AI.