KIA is at an upward price. Why did KIA invest 1.4 billion won…MLERA 6.54? You don't have to care
Dec 17, 2024
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KIA Tigers general manager Shim Jae-hak expressed his expectations for new foreign pitcher Adam Oler (30). Although it is early to express satisfaction or confidence in success, KIA's expectation of signing a good player who is on an upward curve in the United States was fully confirmed.
KIA signed a total of $1 million (about 1.4 billion won) with Oler on the 16th, including a down payment of $200,000, an annual salary of $600,000 and an option of $200,000. $1 million is the highest the club can give a new KBO recruit foreign player. KIA first renewed its contract with foreign first starter James Nail (31) for a total of 1.8 million dollars (about 2.5 billion won) and formed a one-two punch that will serve as a springboard for its second consecutive championship bid by recruiting Oler.
Oler is a right-hander from Conlow, Texas, USA, with a physique of 193 centimeters and a weight of 102 kilograms. He was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 20th round of the 2016 draft and took steps step by step from the rookie league. He has had the opportunity in the major leagues for the last three consecutive seasons since 2022, and played for four seasons in Triple-A in the minor leagues. The average fastball speed this year was 93.7 miles (about 151 kilometers).
In the Major League, he made his debut in 2022 for the Oakland Athletics and played two seasons, and this year, he moved to the Miami Marlins as a starting pitcher. In all, he pitched in 36 games (23 starts), recording 5-13 losses, 136 ⅓ innings, 95 strikeouts, and a 6.54 ERA. It is clear that he is an active Major League starter, but simply looking at his performance, he tilts his head. In Miami this year, he started eight games and recorded 2-4, 42 ⅓ innings, and a 5.31 ERA.
Regarding these question marks, Shim said "Oller's average speed is the same, and in a way, he started as a low-ranking designated player and continued to come up from the bottom through the league. They signed a contract with us when it was on the rise. Miami is not a strong team, but there are expectations when it comes to an upward price that shows some performance by throwing innings steadily."
Instead, Triple-A's performance was good. His 12 games (6 starts) in Triple-A teams under the Cleveland Guardians this year were sluggish with 1-1 losses, 27 ⅔ innings and 7.48 ERA, but he recorded 6 games (3 starts), 3 wins, 25 innings and 2.88 ERA in Triple-A teams under Miami. Triple-A has 57 games (45 starts), 21-9 losses, 242 ⅔ innings, 253 strikeouts, and a 5.01 ERA.
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Oler's great willingness to enter Korea is also one of the things Shim expects. Oller shared the information on his SNS when it was reported in the U.S. on the 13th of last month that 「Oller has completed his 2025 contract with KIA」. He also won favor with KIA fans by decorating the post with numerous Taegeukgi emoticons. At that time, it was Oler's happening, which misunderstood KIA's interest as a contract confirmation, but it was possible to confirm how serious Oler was about going to Korea.
Shim said "I've heard that the player has a very good personality. It also shows that Oler is already trying to adapt to the KBO league. He smiled, saying, "When you see the Korean flag hanging even though you haven't signed a contract with us."
KIA has virtually completed its formation of foreign players. The contract was announced only by two people, including Nail and Oler, but the contract was almost completed with Patrick Wisdom (33), a new foreign hitter. Once the medical examination is completed, it will be announced soon. Wisdom is expected to be a power heater boasting 88 home runs in the major leagues.
KIA won the integrated championship this year, but it always had foreign variables. Wil Crowe (30), who was expected to be the first starter, played only eight games and was released due to an elbow injury, making it difficult to find a substitute. He spent a year dealing with ongoing variables, including recruiting Cam Aldred (28) and Eric Lauer (29) as replacement foreigners in turn and bringing in Eric Stout (31) as temporary replacement foreigners to fill the vacancy of Nail, who left at the end of the season due to a jaw injury.
General manager Shim said, `We have not been able to recruit an external FA right now, and we are looking forward to it. Foreign players' contribution to victory this year is not very low, but even though the field was difficult, the front staff filled it well, so I think this season has turned to some extent. Next year, I hope the three players will stay healthy for a year without changing. Just because a year goes by itself means that the grades are good. I have such an expectation that we can all go for a year together,' he said emphatically.
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rina1130@sportschosun.com
