KBO Free Agency Explodes: Record Deals and Big Moves Shake Up the League

The professional baseball free agent market is slowly heating up. Hanwha recruited free agents from KT for two consecutive days, including pitcher Eom Sang-baek, following Shim Woo-jun.

KT filled the vacancy by bringing in outfielder Heo Gyeong-min from Doosan for 4 billion won. Hanwha, who brought in KT outfielder Shim Woo-jun, opened his wallet wide again. Eom Sang-baek, who is also a starting resource for KT, was paid 7.8 billion earned including options and signed a four-year free agent contract. The last fall baseball season was in 2018, and we made bold investments to take a leap forward before the first season in the new stadium next year. Eom Sang-baek recorded 13 wins, 10 losses, and a 4.88 ERA this season. He played as a starter for KT, the kingdom pitcher, for three years, but due to the lack of domestic starters in the entire league, his value increased.

KT, which lost the team’s two free agents to Hanwha, brought in Heo Gyeong-min, a franchise player from Doosan. Up to 4 billion in 4 years. This is a better condition than the current 2 billion won contract for 3 years that Heo Kyung-min would receive if he stayed at Doosan without declaring free agency. Heo Gyeong-min, who has played in the first team since 2012, has the best defense in the league and a career batting average of 0.293. This year, he returned to being a .300 hitter after four years with a .309 batting average. KT plans to move third baseman Hwang Jae-gyun to first base and place Heo Gyeong-min in charge of third base.