This made it clear. KIA's next year's goal is to build a dynasty for two consecutive years

Dec 22, 2024

A match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions in Game 5 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. KIA Tigers players who won the Korean Series are rinsing manager Lee Bum-ho. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.28/

A match between the KIA Tigers and the Samsung Lions in Game 5 of the Korean Series at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 28th. KIA Tigers manager Lee Bum-ho, who won the Korean Series, is cheering. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2024.10.28/

KIA Tigers have expressed their willingness to defend the throne very actively. It sent a challenging stove league seeking change and development instead of stability. KIA clearly declared that its goal is to build a dynasty for two consecutive years through drastic foreign replacement and cash trade.

Offseason starts were a bit unsettling. He quickly renewed his contract with ace James Nail, who was the No. 1 task. However, rumors circulated that the remaining two foreigners would be replaced. Key must-win group Jang Hyun-sik, who was an internal FA, suddenly signed a four-year contract with LG for 5.2 billion won. On top of that, Samsung also recruited Choi Won-tae for four years and 7 billion won, completing the formidable starting lineup. Defending champion KIA has received a strong challenge.

KIA responded step by step. It has been KIA's time since mid-December after the Major League Winter Meeting. KIA first announced on the 16th that it has recruited Adam Oler, a right-hander from the Major League Baseball. It is a type of pressing the batter with power with ball power, and it is expected to have a clear one-two punch with nails. The foreign hitter is said to have reached an agreement with Patrick Wisdom, a 88-homer slugger in the Major League. KIA started to clear up uncertainty by changing two foreign cards to a special express.

Then, on the 19th, he made a trade of 'nuclear bomb class'. KIA gave Kiwoom 1 billion won in cash and 2 in the first and fourth rounds of the 2026 rookie nomination to get one Cho Sang-woo. Even Cho Sang-woo is also a player who will be eligible for FA at the end of the 2025 season. Cho Sang-woo is a proven reliever with 33 wins, 35 losses, 54 holds, 88 saves and a 3.11 ERA in 343 KBO league games. He was a member of the national team for the 2015 and 2019 Premier 12 and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

It's a clear power rise that's unarguable. However, aside from 2026, it is a clear expression of intention to go all-in in 2025. After the 2025 season, first starter Yang Hyun-jong, Golden Glove shortstop Park Chan-ho, and main center fielder Choi Won-joon will become FA. Veteran Choi Hyung-woo also won the Golden Glove this year, but he will be 42 next year. MVP Kim Do-young is in his prime, and there is not much time left for big guns Na Sung-beom to stay healthy. For KIA, it is reasonable to step on the accelerator pedal to the end right away, rather than establishing a hundred-year line.

photo courtesy of the KIA Tigers

Sportschosun DB

photo courtesy of the KIA Tigers

Cho Sang-woo's trade was also made in this context. On the 13th, when the Golden Glove Awards were held, KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak called Kiwoom general manager Ko Hyung-wook. They met an hour earlier and formed a consensus. Kiwoom also had a similar interest. Ko Hyung-wook, the general manager, said, `It is difficult to make such a bold decision during the reconstruction. We have the advantage of being able to pick all 1st and 10th in the first round and 1st in the second round. It means a lot to pick the 10th and 11th in a row."

KIA didn't stop there. On the 21st, the internal FA termination was set at a total of 1.5 billion won for three years. Compared to LG's previous acquisition of Kim Kang-ryul, who finished Doosan, for a total of 1.4 billion won per 3+1 year, it can be seen as quite generous treatment. Lim was guaranteed 1.2 billion won. Lim Ki-young is grateful to the club for providing favorable conditions. I'm happy to hear the cheers of the passionate KIA fans again. I felt sorry for the fans this season because I did not meet expectations, but I will prepare well from now on and become a player who helps the team win its second consecutive Korean Series title."

dhhan@sportschosun.com