"40 Days of Nightmare vs. Proven Pitching"—Kia Tigers' Lengthy Deliberation: Can Oller Become Their Certainty?

[Financial News] The Kia Tigers' offseason is now in full swing, with foreign pitcher Adam Oller at the center of attention. Will he be re-signed, or will a new face emerge? The Kia front office is busy weighing their options. In short, it’s a matter of deep consideration. Oller is certainly an attractive card, but there are lingering doubts that make it hard to be fully confident.
Manager Lee Bum-ho's interview reveals the depth of this dilemma. Lee offered a candid assessment of Oller: "He has good stuff and ability, and his velocity is impressive. However, the fact that he missed about 40 days during the season is the biggest concern. For a foreign pitcher, the key is whether he can handle a full season," Lee stated.
Lee's comments strike at the heart of the issue. Oller is a double-edged sword.
There are clear positives. Oller throws a fastball exceeding 150 km/h, has adapted to the KBO League, and demonstrates a strong work ethic. In the first half of this season, he posted an 8-3 record with a 3.03 ERA, serving as a one-two punch on the mound alongside James Naile. In fact, he often appeared more stable than Naile. Finding a 10-win pitcher with this kind of stuff on the market is no easy feat. Oller himself is eager to return to Korea, giving Kia leverage in negotiations. As a reliable 'last line of defense' or 'insurance policy,' he passes the test.
However, the story changes when the keyword is 'championship contention.' The problems are durability and a lack of dominance. The '40-day absence' mentioned by Lee remains a painful memory for Kia. When Oller was sidelined with injury, the team fell into a losing streak and suffered significant setbacks. In the second half, he went 3-4 in 10 games, pitching only 54 innings. After returning from injury, Oller was not significantly better than domestic starters.
A foreign ace should consistently pitch at least six innings to ease the bullpen's workload, but Oller failed to do so in the latter half. His overall season stats—11 wins, 7 losses, a 3.62 ERA (149 innings, 60 earned runs) in 26 games—are somewhat underwhelming.
Oller also lacks the intimidating, high-release style now trending in the Automatic Ball-Strike System (ABS) era. While steady, he is not seen as a true 'game-changer' who can secure wins in big games or against opposing aces, according to those in the field.

The dilemma deepens when considering Kia's team situation for next season. In 2026, the Tigers face a wave of major changes. Park Chan-ho and Choi Hyoung-woo, two key players on both offense and defense, will leave the roster, significantly weakening the lineup. As the batting order loses power, the importance of the pitching staff—especially foreign pitchers—becomes even greater. If the foreign pitchers are not dominant, Kia's outlook for next year becomes bleak.
The formula for Kia's resurgence is simple: standout performances from the three foreign players, including James Naile, and a breakout season from Kim Do-young. If any of these elements falter, the entire season could be in jeopardy. For Kia, heading into a 'season of adventure,' the foreign pitcher slot is not just another spot in the rotation, but the 'key' to the team's success or failure. This is why the decision is so difficult.
Ultimately, the market situation is crucial. The question is whether Kia can find a clear upgrade—a so-called 'super ace'—over Oller. If such a pitcher is available, a bold replacement is the answer. But if only uncertain options exist, sticking with Oller as a known quantity may be the most realistic alternative.
This is the same dilemma Lotte Giants faced this year when they replaced Tucker Davidson with Vincent Velasquez, which proved to be a significant challenge.
For now, as manager Lee Bum-ho put it, "Regardless of performance, the first priority is a player who can consistently take the mound." Kia's direction is clear in this statement. Consistency is more vital than flashy moments. The default plan is to move forward with Oller, but many variables remain.
Will Kia choose the safe stepping stone in Oller, or will they embark on an adventure in search of a stronger weapon?
The fate of the 2026 season rests on Kia's decision.

jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter