*This content was translated by AI.
With the KIA Tigers holding Kim Bum-soo (31), who played for Hanwha Eagles as a free agent (FA) pitcher, the eyes are now on Hanwha again. Because you have to choose a reward player. With the list handed over from KIA today (26th), attention is being paid to what resources they will choose.
An official from Hanwha said in a phone call with Star News on the 26th, "I was handed a list of 25 protected players by the KIA team today."
Now Hanwha's time is back. KIA signed an FA contract with Kim Bum-soo for a total of 2 billion won, including a three-year contract period, 500 million won in down payment, 1.2 billion won in annual salary and 300 million won in incentives, before leaving the spring camp for Japan.
With the recruitment of Kim Bum-soo, KIA strengthened its bullpen resources and accelerated its efforts to leap forward in the 2026 season. In particular, Cho Sang-woo, who was an internal FA, and Hong Gun-hee, who was an uncontracted player, are said to have swept away bullpen resources by hugging them on the same day.
Kim Bum-soo joined Hanwha as the first designated player in 2015 and has taken the mound in 481 games in 11 seasons until last season, marking 27 wins, 47 losses, 5 saves, 72 holds, 484 strikeouts, and a 5.18 ERA.
Above all, he performed well last season and made a great contribution to Hanwha's runner-up. In the 2025 season, Kim Bum-soo pitched in 73 games and recorded a good performance of 2-1 with 2 saves, 6 holds, 41 strikeouts, and an ERA of 2.25 in a total of 48 innings.
After signing the FA, Kim Bum-soo said through the KIA club, "I am grateful to the KIA club for making a good offer and I am honored to join the prestigious club. The fans must have high expectations, but I will repay them with better-than-expected results, he said. "I also deeply thank Hanwha Eagles fans for their support since their professional debut."
Hanwha, which sent Kim Bum-soo away, now has to choose a reward player. Kim Bum-soo was in FAB grade this year. Teams that have left Grade B can collect "one compensation player other than the 25-member protection list and 100% of the 2025 salary" or "200% of the 2025 salary without compensation players" from the recruiting team. Kim Bum-soo's salary in 2025 is 143 million won, which is not a large amount from the club's point of view.
The FA contract between Kim Bum-soo and KIA was announced to the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) on the 23rd. According to regulations, clubs that have recruited FA players must deliver a list of compensation players to the original team within three days after the announcement. Kia passed the 25-member protected list for 26 days after careful consideration. And the club that receives the list must make a decision within three days. Hanwha received it from KIA on the 26th, so it can be decided by the 29th.
It is clear that Hanwha's position in need of reinforcement is center field. In addition, Hanwha also needs bullpen resources because it has sent off Seung-hyuk and Kim Bum-soo. However, if potential infield resources or starting resources are unexpectedly released in KIA, the possibility of Hanwha making an unconventional decision looking into the distant future cannot be ruled out at all. On the pitching side, Kim Do-young, Jeon Sang-hyun, Jung Hae-young, Kim Do-hyun, Kwak Do-gyu, Yoon Young-cheol, Hwang Dong-ha, Choi Ji-min, Sung Young-tak, and Kim Tae-hyung are likely to have been on the list. In the end, Hanwha is expected to choose carefully from the list of players except them.
What kind of decision will Hanwha make. KIA has begun full-fledged training in Amami-Oshima, Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan, the place of the first spring camp. A total of 48 athletes are participating. At this rate, someone is expected to say goodbye to the KIA team there and return to Korea for a while or head straight to Melbourne, Australia, Hanwha's spring camp. Who will be the hero of Hanwha's choice.
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*This content was translated by AI.
