*This content was translated by AI.
KIA Tigers finally signed a free agent (FA) contract with pitcher Cho Sang-woo (32). The total amount is 1.5 billion won, including the two-year contract period and the guarantee amount of 1.3 billion won.
KIA officially announced on the 21st, "I signed a two-year contract with Cho Sang-woo for a total of 1.5 billion won, including a down payment of 500 million won, an annual salary of 800 million won and incentives of 200 million won."
After signing the contract, Cho Sang-woo said through the club, "I'm sorry to the fans for not being able to deliver the news of the contract quickly. As it is delayed, we plan to prepare for the season more firmly, and we will return the fans with a great performance on the mound at Champions Field.
He then said, "I will be a player who will be a great addition to the team as well as personal performance during the contract period, and I will try to get good reviews from the club in the renewal negotiations two years later."
KIA's general manager Shim Jae-hak said, "Cho Sang-woo played a must-win group with the most holds in the team last season. He said, "He is an essential player for our team, and I expect that he will be a great help to the team's bullpen by protecting the victory at every important moment this season."
After signing the contract, Cho Sang-woo will join the spring camp squad and leave the country on the 23rd.
Meanwhile, Cho Sang-woo, who joined the Nexen Heroes (currently Kiwoom Heroes) as the No. 1 overall draft in 2013, has played in 415 games in 10 seasons until 2025, with 39 wins, 89 saves, 82 holds, and 485 strikeouts with an ERA of 3.21.
He wore the KIA Tigers uniform through a trade in December 2024. At that time, KIA and Kiwoom agreed to a trade. Instead of paying Kiwoom 1 billion won in cash, KIA brought Cho Sang-woo in the first and fourth rounds of the 2026 rookie draft.
It was clear why KIA recruited Cho Sang-woo. It was to fill the void of Jang Hyun-sik, who left for the LG Twins after obtaining FA qualification. At the same time, KIA accelerated its bid to win the integrated championship for the second consecutive year. KIA fans welcomed Cho Sang-woo's recruitment and hoped for a good performance.
An official from KIA said at the time, "We pushed for this trade by agreeing with the field and the need to strengthen the bullpen," adding, "Cho Sang-woo is a proven pitcher who has a wide range of pitches such as splitters, changeups, and curves. As he has played a must-win role in the KBO league and international competitions, he said, "I expect it to be of great help to the team in the future."
However, it was not an easy day, with the issue of lowering the arrest. On top of that, he was no longer seen in the first team after the match on August 10 due to an inflammatory shoulder injury. KIA said after Cho Sang-woo's trade, there was no abnormality in the shoulder and elbow tests. It didn't cause health problems even during the season. As such, ball power rarely rose throughout the 2025 season, and in the second half of the year, he even gave up a must-win position.
Cho Sang-woo played a role in the team's must-win group in the 2025 season. Cho Sang-woo pitched 72 games and recorded 6 wins, 1 save, 55 strikeouts, and an ERA of 3.90 in 60 innings, and won 28 holds, breaking the record for the most holds in a single season.
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*This content was translated by AI.
