Kia Tigers Ultimately Choose Oller; Solution Is Stability... Foreign Player Puzzle Complete with 'Slugger' Castro and 'Defensive' Dale

[Financial News] After much deliberation, the Kia Tigers ultimately chose to stick with the familiar. The club, which had actively searched the market for a better option, decided to reunite with Adam Oller to stabilize the mound. Meanwhile, they addressed key needs in hitting and defense, finalizing their foreign player roster for the 2026 season.
On the 24th, Kia Tigers announced they had re-signed foreign pitcher Adam Oller for a total of $1.2 million (including a $200,000 signing bonus, $700,000 salary, and $300,000 in incentives). The club also revealed the signings of new foreign hitter Harold Castro (32) and Asian quota player Jarryd Dale (25).
The most notable move is Oller’s return. In fact, Kia Tigers had been searching for a stronger ace than Oller since the start of the offseason. However, the Major League market proved challenging, and there were no clear upgrades available. Ultimately, the club opted for a proven asset.
Oller adapted well to the KBO League, recording 11 wins, 149 innings pitched, and 169 strikeouts in 26 games during the 2025 season. With a reliable ace in Nail, the club determined that trusting Oller’s pitching and durability was the best course of action rather than taking unnecessary risks.

While they prioritized stability on the mound, the Tigers focused on eliminating weaknesses in their lineup. The key word for new foreign hitter Harold Castro is undoubtedly 'bat.' With Park Chan-ho and Choi Hyung-woo gone, Castro is seen as the perfect fit to fill the offensive void.
Castro, signed for a total of $1 million, showcased impressive hitting stats in Triple-A this year. He batted .307 with 21 home runs, displaying both precision and power.
A Kia Tigers official explained, "We valued not only his contact skills but also his ability to deliver in clutch situations."

Jarryd Dale, joining as an Asian quota player, is the only infielder among the new signings. The Australian national team member is a utility player capable of covering all infield positions. Manager Lee Bum-ho personally observed Dale during spring training in Okinawa and was impressed by his steady defense and tactical execution. Dale can play his primary position at shortstop, as well as second and third base.
With a proven one-two punch of Nail and Oller, the Kia Tigers have built a team capable of calculated baseball. By adding slugger Castro and defensive specialist Dale, they aim to achieve balance between pitching and hitting. Fans are eager to see how the Tigers’ focus on stability and reinforcement will translate into results in the 2026 season.
jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter