Kia pulls off last-minute bullpen sweep, signing Jo Sang-woo, Kim Beom-su and Hong Geon-hee at once in dramatic hot stove twist

The Kia Tigers, who had to swallow the shock of finishing eighth last season, have launched an aggressive late push in the hot stove season to rebuild their pitching staff. After internal free agents Park Chan-ho and Choi Hyoung-woo left the club, there were serious concerns about a weakened roster, but Kia has tried to flip the script by bringing in several key bullpen arms still on the market.
Kia announced on the 21st that it had signed free-agent contracts with pitchers Jo Sang-woo, Kim Beom-su and Hong Geon-hee. By inking three pitchers in a single day, the club effectively placed a bold bet on a complete overhaul of its bullpen. First, it succeeded in securing its own FA. Kia signed Jo Sang-woo to a two-year deal worth a total of 1.5 billion won, including a 500 million won signing bonus, 800 million won in annual salary and 200 million won in incentives. Jo, acquired in a blockbuster trade in December 2024 that cost Kia a rookie draft pick and 1 billion won in cash, recorded 28 holds last season but also drew criticism for inconsistent performances.

The outside reinforcements are just as eye-catching. Left-handed fireballer Kim Beom-su of the Hanwha Eagles joined the Tigers on a three-year deal worth a total of 2 billion won, including a 500 million won signing bonus, 1.2 billion won in annual salary and 300 million won in options. Kim appeared in 73 games last season and posted a 2.25 ERA, enjoying a career year. His profile as a hard-throwing left-hander, a rare commodity in the league, earned him high marks.
Adding to that, Hong Geon-hee has returned to his original club. After opting out of his deal with the Doosan Bears and testing the market, Hong signed a one-year contract worth 700 million won (650 million won in salary and 50 million won in incentives) and is heading back to Gwangju for the first time in six years.

This sweeping recruitment drive was largely driven by a shift in the club’s overall approach. Initially, Kia had emphasized tighter spending by its parent company and rational consumption, and as a result allowed both franchise icon Choi Hyoung-woo, who joined Samsung, and starting shortstop Park Chan-ho, who moved to Doosan, to leave. However, at a roster-strengthening seminar chaired by CEO Choi Jun-young on the 19th, the conclusion was reached that “it will be difficult to rebound in the standings without bolstering the bullpen,” and the situation changed rapidly.
The decision to use the Asian quota slot on infielder Jarryd Dale rather than a pitcher also strengthened the case for stockpiling bullpen arms. “Kim Beom-su has stuff that overwhelms hitters, and Hong Geon-hee and Jo Sang-woo are proven late-inning options,” Kia Tigers general manager Sim Jae-hak explained, adding, “By bringing in players we absolutely needed, we have dramatically improved our bullpen depth.”
jsi@fnnews.com Reporter Jeon Sang-il Reporter