One uncontracted KIA 2025 salary announced...Park Chan-ho's 450 million won Choi Won-joon and Cho Sang-woo cracked down on 400 million preliminary FA, with four annual salaries worth the first 100 million won
Jan 22, 2025
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KIA announced on the 22nd that it has completed contracts with 44 out of 45 people eligible for renewal of salary in the 2025 season. Kim Sa-yoon failed to reach an agreement until the 22nd, the deadline set by the club, due to disagreements between the club and the players.
Prospective FA shortstop Park Chan-ho stamped his seal at 450 million won, an increase of 150 million won from last year's annual salary of 300 million won. Park Chan-ho won his first career Golden Glove in shortstop in 134 games last year with a batting average of 0.307 (158 hits in 515 at-bats), 20 steals, 61 RBIs, 86 runs and an OPS of 0.749. In addition, he won the shortstop defense award for the second consecutive year and was recognized for his performance in offense and defense.
Reserve FA outfielder Choi Won-joon renewed his contract for 400 million won, an increase of 180 million won (81.8%) from 220 million won. Choi Won-joon hit .292 (128 hits in 438 at-bats), nine homers, 21 steals, 56 RBIs, 75 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.791, in 136 games last year.
Pitcher Cho Sang-woo, acquired in a trade from Kiwoom Heroes this winter, signed 400 million won, an increase of 60 million won from last year's annual salary of 340 million won. Cho Sang-woo only played 44 games, six saves, nine holds, 39 ⅔ innings and an ERA of 3.18 in the aftermath of his shoulder injury last year, but his salary is expected to rise considering the FA grade.
KIA built a minimum defense line by raising the salaries of Park Chan-ho, Choi Won-joon, and Cho Sang-woo, who are subject to renewal of their salaries, to more than 400 million won among preliminary FA.
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Kwak Do-gyu, a left-hander must-win group, signed 120 million won, up 263.6% from 33 million won, marking the highest increase in pitchers ever. Kwak Do-gyu emerged as a new face to play a role in KIA's bullpen, ranking second in the team with 16 holds last year.
Hwang Dong-ha and Kim Do-hyun, who signed a contract for 35 million won last season, also renewed their contracts for 100 million won and 90 million won, respectively. Hwang Dong-ha and Kim Do-hyun impressed by filling the vacancy well when there was a hole in the starting team last year, and they will compete for the fifth starting pitcher in this spring camp.
Catcher Han Jun-su signed for 140 million won, up 180 percent from 50 million won.
Infielder Byun Woo-hyuk renewed his contract at 85 million won, up 41.7 percent, and outfielder Park Jung-woo signed at 65 million won, up 71.1 percent from last year.
Pitchers Kwak Do-gyu, Yoon Young-chul, Hwang Dong-ha, and catcher Han Jun-su will record their first billion won salary since their debut. Most of the team was treated generously as KIA achieved an integrated championship last year.
Meanwhile, Kim Do-young became the highest-paid player among non-FA renewals (excluding foreign players) in the team. Last year's MVP Kim Do-young concluded the renewal negotiations on the 21st with the highest salary treatment in his fourth year as a professional. The contract was completed at 500 million won, an increase of 400 million won from last season's annual salary of 100 million won. This is more than 110 million won from the previous fourth-year annual salary of Kiwoom Heroes Lee Jung-hoo (27, San Francisco Giants) in 2020.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
