The last-place team has no mercy. Unfortunate 92 home run hitters are released, and infielders on multi-year contracts retire

Nov 24, 2025

김동엽. Sports Chosun DB

Kiwoom Heroes, who have been at the bottom for three consecutive years, also started a bold team reorganization.

Kiwoom officially announced the list of players released on the 24th, saying it had reorganized the team to reorganize the team. The club conveyed their intention not to renew the contract to pitchers Park Seung-ho, Oh Sang-won, Lee Woo-seok, Cho Sung-hoon, Kim Joo-hoon, infielder Yang Kyung-sik, outfielder Kim Dong-yeop, and Bae Sang-kwon, respectively. Among them, pitcher Park Seung-joo retires from active duty and begins his leadership career as a bullpen coach.

The name that stands out is Kim Dong-yeop.Kim Dong-yeop, who moved to the U.S. after graduating from Cheonan Bukil High School and joined the SK Wyverns in 2016, made his name as a big shot prospect. In the 2017-2018 season, he hit more than 20 home runs for two consecutive years at SK, strongly impressing him as a long hitter.

Kim Dong-yeop, who later transferred to Samsung through a triangular trade between SK, Heroes and Samsung Lions, announced his revival by hitting 20 home runs with a batting average of 300 again in the 2020 season, but has since suffered from endless slumps and repeated injuries.

Kim Dong-yeop in his Samsung days. Sports Chosun DB

Kim Dong-yeop, who left Samsung after last season, will play in a Kiwoom uniform again. He dreamed of making another leap forward this year by showing good performance in spring camp and practice games, but he was hampered by injuries again. During the exhibition game, he was diagnosed with a fracture after being hit on the wrist by a ball thrown by Doosan Bears' Kim Yoo-sung and was out of power. He later returned to the first team at the end of May, but did not receive any more opportunities to play after posting a batting average of 222 with no homers and two RBIs in nine games. And he was once again placed on the release list, putting him at the crossroads of retirement.

Meanwhile, Kiwoom also announced the retirement of veteran infielder Lee Won-seok. Lee Won-seok recently conveyed his intention to retire to the club, and the club decided to respect the player's will after discussions.

Lee Won-seok and Kim Dong-yeop. Sports Chosun DB

Lee Won-seok, who debuted professionally as the ninth overall pick in the second round of the 2005 Rookie Draft, joined Kiwoom in a 2023 trade after passing through Doosan and Samsung. At Kiwoom, he played the role of the eldest brother who led his juniors with abundant experience and sincerity. The club highly appreciated Lee Won-seok's leadership and signed the team's first non-FA multi-year contract (2+1 year, up to 1 billion won).

Lee Won-seok played in 1,819 games in the first division and recorded 1,430 hits in 5,481 at-bats with 144 home runs and a batting average of 261. In the 2018 season, he hit a career high with 144 hits in 489 at-bats with 20 home runs and a .301 batting average.

Lee Won-seok said, "The time I was able to be on the ground as a player for 21 years has been a great happiness in my life. The future course of action has not been decided yet, but wherever I am, I want to continue the things I learned through baseball without forgetting them. I sincerely thank the fans for their constant support in good times and in difficult times.

Meanwhile, Kiwoom announced pitcher Jang Pil-joon and infielder Kang Jin-sung on waivers on August 31, and when the second draft was over, they began to reorganize the team again to announce their preparation for the 2026 season in earnest.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.