Kiwoom Heroes Sign Pitcher Ha Young-min to 8-Year, 8 Billion Won Extension

The professional baseball club Kiwoom Heroes announced today that they have signed a multi-year contract with right-handed pitcher Ha Young-min, who was not yet a free agent (FA).

Kiwoom stated that they have signed a non-FA multi-year deal with Ha, spanning eight years from next year through 2034, for a total value of 8 billion won, including salary and incentives (specific details were not disclosed).

A signing ceremony was held this morning at a hotel in Seoul, attended by Kiwoom CEO Wi Jae-min, Ha Young-min, and his family.

This contract marks the largest non-FA multi-year deal ever signed by the Kiwoom club.

Last year, the club signed a 6-year, 12 billion won non-FA multi-year contract with Song Sung-mun (currently with the San Diego Padres), but the deal was never executed as Song advanced to Major League Baseball through the posting system.

Kiwoom noted that Ha's contract is the sixth-largest non-FA multi-year deal for a pitcher in KBO League history, following Hanwha Eagles' Ryu Hyun-jin (8 years, 17 billion won), SSG Landers' Kim Kwang-hyun (4 years, 15.1 billion won), NC Dinos' Koo Chang-mo (7 years, 13.2 billion won), kt wiz's Ko Young-pyo (5 years, 10.7 billion won), and Lotte Giants' Park Se-woong (5 years, 9 billion won).

Ha, who debuted professionally in 2014 wearing the Heroes uniform, has recorded a career total of 34 wins, 40 losses, 9 holds, and a 4.96 ERA through the first half of this year.

He has served as a key member of the Kiwoom starting rotation, pitching over 150 innings for two consecutive years in 2024 and 2025.

His career-high in wins for a single season is 9, achieved in 2024.

The Kiwoom club stated, "Ha Young-min is a franchise player who has grown with the team for a long time and proven his value. We hope he continues to take responsibility and serve as a great role model for his younger teammates as a core player. We look forward to him performing for a long time as a representative player of the Heroes."

Ha said through the club, "I am truly grateful to the team for offering such good terms. It is even more meaningful to have the opportunity to remain a Hero forever through this contract. I will continue to learn from my seniors and strive to be a good role model for my juniors. I will do my best in my role to help the team reach higher heights."

(Photo: Courtesy of Kiwoom Heroes, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.