Major pitcher Yang Hyun-jong remains at KIA, signing a 2+1 year, 4.5 billion contract...Thanks to the cheers of Tigers fans

Dec 04, 2025

Major pitcher Yang Hyun-jong remains at KIA, signing a 21 year, 4.5 billion contract...Thanks to the cheers of Tigers fans
KIA Tigers Yang Hyun-jong (left) and Shim Jae-hak. Photo courtesy = KIA Tigers



'Big pitcher' Yang Hyun-jong agreed to an FA contract with the KIA Tigers.

On the 4th, KIA signed an FA contract with Yang Hyun-jong for a total of 4.5 billion won, including a down payment of 1 billion won, annual salary, and incentives, with a contract period of 2+1 years. As a result, Yang Hyun-jong will sign his third FA contract with KIA after 2016 and 2021.

Yang Hyun-jong, who graduated from Gwangju Dongseong High School and was nominated by KIA in the second round in 2007, has 186 wins and 2,656.2 innings in 18 seasons so far this year, with a 3.90 ERA with 2185 strikeouts.




Yang Hyun-jong has spent 18 seasons with KIA except for the 2021 season when he entered the Major League, writing a myriad of records. He played a role in KIA's selection every season and ranked first in the league (442 games), first in the most starts (184 wins), first in the most strikeouts, and second in the most innings ever.

In addition, Yang Hyun-jong showed off his steady appearance by writing a milestone in the inning category. After achieving 170 innings for the first 10 consecutive seasons in the league in 2024 season, this season he became the first in the league to build 150 innings for 11 consecutive seasons.

Major pitcher Yang Hyun-jong remains at KIA, signing a 21 year, 4.5 billion contract...Thanks to the cheers of Tigers fans
A game between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. KIA Tigers starter Yang Hyun-jong, who set a record of 150 innings for the first 11 consecutive seasons in the KBO League, greets his fans. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
Major pitcher Yang Hyun-jong remains at KIA, signing a 21 year, 4.5 billion contract...Thanks to the cheers of Tigers fans
A game between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. The record of KIA Tigers starter Yang Hyun-jong, who played 150 innings for the first 11 consecutive seasons in the KBO League history, is on the electronic display. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/
Yang Hyun-jong, who will continue his career with this contract, is also set to break the record of 3,000 innings (2nd time ever), the most innings, and the most wins.

Yang Hyeon-jong thanked the fans for their constant support. I was able to come to this place because of the shouts of Tigers fans who sent me every moment I took the mound. And once again, I am grateful to the club for recognizing my values and giving me the opportunity."

Then "I won and achieved many records while playing in the Tigers uniform, but my challenge is not over yet. I want to show Tigers fans a steady performance until the moment they take off their uniforms" he said.

KIA was criticized by fans as it failed to crack down on internal FA in this stove league. Starting with Park Chan-ho, the biggest shortstop, signing a four-year, 8 billion won contract with the Doosan Bears, catcher Han Seung-taek (KT Wiz, 4 years and 1 billion won), and Choi Hyung-woo (Samsung Lions, 2 years and 2.6 billion won), who was the undisputed No. 4 hitter, left the game. In particular, Kia was shocked internally by the transfer of Choi Hyung-woo, who expected to remain for granted, and made more efforts to stay in Yang Hyun-jong, resulting in the best results.




KIA also signed a three-year, 1.2 billion won contract with left-handed bullpen Lee Joon-young prior to Yang Hyun-jong. The only FA left is Jo Sang-woo. KIA said it is also negotiating with Cho Sang-woo.

Major pitcher Yang Hyun-jong remains at KIA, signing a 21 year, 4.5 billion contract...Thanks to the cheers of Tigers fans
The match between the KIA Tigers and the NC Dinos at Kia Champions Field in Gwangju on the 27th. KIA Yang Hyun-jong is catching his breath. Gwangju = Reporter Park Jae-man pjm@sportschosun.com /2025.09.27/




This article was translated by Naver AI translator.