KT Signs 3.4 Billion Won Renewal; Hanwha Replaces Manager… Only Lotte Remains, with Final Deliberation on Candidates Including Kim Tae-hyung

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Of the three KBO League managers whose contracts expired at the end of the 2026 season, the fates of two have been decided. The Hanwha Eagles parted ways with manager Kim Kyung-moon (68) and appointed a new skipper, while the KT Wiz offered manager Lee Kang-cheol (60) the most favorable terms in history. Now, only the Lotte Giants and manager Kim Tae-hyung (59) remain.

The Lotte organization is reportedly currently in final deliberation regarding the candidate pool for the next skipper, which includes Manager Kim. The situation has both options open: reappointing the incumbent skipper or appointing a new figure, with no final decision made yet.

The most recent team to make a decision was KT. On the 19th, KT officially announced that it had signed a renewal contract with Manager Lee for a three-year term, totaling 3.4 billion won (1 billion won signing bonus, 800 million won annual salary). This is the highest compensation package ever for a manager in KBO League history.

Manager Lee, who took the helm of KT in 2019, has thereby signed his fourth contract with the organization and will remain through 2029. He led the team to its first-ever combined championship in 2021. This year, he set new club records for most wins and highest winning percentage with a record of 90 wins, 5 draws, and 49 losses (winning percentage 0.647), achieving first place in the regular season for the first time in five years.

In particular, KT finalized the renewal well in advance of the Korea Series, which begins on the 2nd of next month. This effectively provided support to a manager whose performance was recognized even while the postseason was underway.

Hanwha made the opposite choice. After announcing its parting with Manager Kim Kyung-moon following the final regular season game on the 10th, it appointed former Korea national baseball team manager Ryu Ji-hyun (55) as the new skipper on the 13th. The contract is for three years, totaling 2 billion won.

Manager Kim Kyung-moon led Hanwha to a Korea Series appearance and runner-up finish last year, ending a 19-year drought. However, this year he fell to ninth place with a record of 57 wins, 4 draws, and 83 losses, failing to secure a renewal. Hanwha also parted ways with General Manager Son Hyuk (53) and appointed new General Manager Seok Jang-hyun (52), restructuring not only the managerial position but the entire club leadership.

As the fates of managers whose contracts expired this year are being settled one after another, Lotte is the only team yet to reach a conclusion. The Lotte Giants, led by Manager Kim Tae-hyung this year, finished seventh with a record of 64 wins, 3 draws, and 77 losses (winning percentage 0.454). This marks their ninth consecutive postseason elimination since 2017.

Manager Kim Tae-hyung took the job in October 2023 on a three-year contract totaling 2.4 billion won. The renowned manager, who led Doosan to nine consecutive Korea Series appearances and three championships during his tenure there, was expected to bring the team back to fall baseball. However, his three years with Lotte ended with finishes of seventh, seventh, and seventh. Manager Kim Tae-hyung himself accepted the result ahead of the final game on the 12th, stating, "If I couldn't produce results in three years, it is the manager's responsibility."

However, it is not as if there were no achievements at all. Since Manager Kim's arrival, players such as Ko Seung-min, Jeon Min-jae, and Son Seong-bin have formed the starting center line. This year, five starting pitchers all achieved the qualifying innings (144 innings), setting a first-ever record in the 10th-team KBO League system. In the first half of last year, the team also rose to third place, showing competitive potential.

Ultimately, this is where Lotte must make its judgment. The choice may differ depending on whether they hold the team accountable for finishing seventh three years in a row or place weight on the changes made to the roster and future growth potential.

The player corps is already preparing for next season. Starting from the 18th, Lotte began development work for the 2027 season by dispatching eight players, including Jeon Min-jae and Ko Seung-min, to Drive Line and Tread Athletics in the United States. A closing camp will begin on November 4.

However, the skipper who will lead them remains undetermined. The appointment of a manager will inevitably influence the composition of the coaching staff, reinforcement of team strength, and the direction of player development.

Hanwha chose replacement; KT chose renewal. With both teams having set their direction for next year early on, attention in the baseball world is focused on whether Lotte will give Manager Kim another chance or start anew with a new skipper.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original