Even Without Splashing Cash, Samsung’s Targeted Reinforcements Are Intimidating—Sharpening Their Blades for V9

[Financial News] Winter has arrived in Daegu, the home of the Samsung Lions. Yet, the team’s momentum burns hotter than ever despite the cold air. Outwardly, Samsung seems to be quietly observing the money game from a distance, but a closer look reveals a strategy so calculated it sends chills down the spine.
Samsung’s approach in this Hot Stove League is meticulous, logical, and above all, purpose-driven. In this silent yet formidable winter, the team’s sights are already set firmly on a championship.
The first step in the Hot Stove League was to secure their core players. Samsung succeeded in re-signing both foreign players, Ariel Jurado and Lewin Díaz. This move goes beyond a simple contract renewal. By retaining proven talent that accounts for roughly 30% of their pitching and hitting strength, Samsung is signaling its intent to play calculated baseball. The data supports that this was the right decision.
Ariel Jurado pitched 1971⁄3 innings in the 2025 season, leading the league in both innings pitched and quality starts (23 times). He is a constant presence on the mound. Lewin Díaz was even more impressive, posting a .314 batting average, 50 home runs, and 158 RBIs—a record-setting performance. There was simply no reason to let go of the Korea Baseball Organization’s all-time RBI leader. By offering reasonable raises, Samsung ensured there would be zero loss in team strength.
Although Díaz’s salary doubled, considering the recent surge in free agent prices, he remains a bargain. No domestic player can match his offensive output.

Perhaps the most impressive move is the reinforcement of the catching corps. For years, Samsung has sought to bolster its depth behind starting catcher Kang Min-ho, either as backup or as a future asset. This winter, the team appears determined to resolve this issue once and for all.
After acquiring Jang Seung-hyun in the KBO Secondary Draft, Samsung traded with NC Dinos to bring in Park Sei-hyok, a veteran catcher who earned the title of 'championship catcher' during his time with Doosan. Although he struggled this season, that very fact made his acquisition possible. These days, starting catchers are so valuable that they command at least 5 billion KRW, and even then are hard to find. Park’s rarity as a right-handed thrower and left-handed batter, combined with his wealth of experience, make him a prized asset. With Kang Min-ho as the starter, Samsung has now established multiple layers of security to ensure the team remains stable during rest periods or in the event of injuries. This is the kind of strength that sustains a team through a long season and provides the bench with a powerful card in short playoff series.
In the bullpen, Samsung also strengthened its roster by acquiring Im Gi-yeong in the KBO Secondary Draft. Although he has struggled since the introduction of ABS, just two years ago he was a mainstay in the Kia Tigers bullpen. Im can serve as a starter, long reliever, or setup man. He is also a native of Gyeongbuk High School, making him a hometown addition. There is no doubt he will be a valuable asset in the middle innings for Samsung.

And that’s not all. Samsung’s ambitions reach even higher. The team has made a concrete offer to Choi Hyoung-woo, once the heart of their dynasty. Reports suggest Samsung targeted Choi as soon as the free agent market opened. To sign him, they would need to offer at least 1.5 billion KRW more than Kia Tigers, due to a 150% compensation clause. Yet Samsung appears willing to take that risk, a testament to the positive energy Choi brings.
Attempting to sign Choi Hyoung-woo, the league’s premier clutch hitter and a key figure in four consecutive unified championships, is a symbolic move. Many Samsung fans still remember his walk-off double against Son Seung-lak in Game 5 of the 2014 Korean Series. With Choi, Samsung reached the Korean Series six years in a row from 2010 to 2015, achieving an unprecedented four straight unified titles.
Samsung’s intent goes beyond simply adding power to the lineup; it’s about instilling a 'winning mentality' throughout the roster by bringing in a proven champion.
Adding a veteran who represents the most glorious era of the Samsung Lions to a lineup now centered on younger players could be the final piece of the championship puzzle. Whether or not the Choi Hyoung-woo deal succeeds, it clearly shows where Samsung’s ambitions lie.

Samsung carried out a massive restructuring, releasing as many as 12 players, including Dae-woo Kim and Lee Sang-min. Even Choi Choong-yeon, a former first-round pick, was let go in the KBO Secondary Draft. Through this painful restructuring, Samsung secured flexibility in both the Salary Cap and roster, filling the vacancies with assets that could directly contribute to a championship.
Why now? The answer is clear. The free agency clocks are ticking for core players Won Tae-in and Koo Ja-wook. After next season, astronomical sums will be required to retain them. Before the Salary Cap pressure intensifies, and with young talents like Lee Jae-hyun, Kim Young-woong, and Kim Ji-chan reaching their peak, and the team stabilized by Park Jin-man’s contract renewal, next season is the perfect time to go all-in for a title run.
This winter, Samsung is not recklessly spending money. Instead, the team is making precise, targeted reinforcements where they are needed most. The result is a roster denser and more formidable than ever.
A lion holds its breath before the hunt. The Samsung Lions are now fully prepared to leap toward the highest peak.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter