This week, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) finalized several high-profile signings involving former Major League Baseball players. These deals include significant contracts for Guillermo Heredia, James Naile, and Victor Reyes, all of whom enjoyed strong performances in their respective 2024 KBO seasons.
Guillermo Heredia Re-signs with SSG Landers
Cuban-born outfielder Guillermo Heredia, a World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, has inked a $1.6 million deal with an additional $200K in incentives to return to the SSG Landers. This marks Heredia’s third KBO season, where he has established himself as a premier hitter. Coming off an impressive .360/.399/.538 line that included 21 home runs and 31 doubles, Heredia has maintained a consistent .343/.393/.502 slash line across two seasons in Korea. Known for his MLB tenure with five different teams, Heredia’s most recent MLB experience was as a depth outfielder for the Braves in 2022.
James Naile Stays with Kia Tigers After Stellar Debut Season
Right-hander James Naile, who led the league in ERA with a dominant 2.53 mark in 2024, is returning to the Kia Tigers on a $1.6 million deal with $200K in incentives. Naile’s inaugural KBO season included 149 1/3 innings pitched and culminated in a Korean Series title for the Tigers. Despite a late-season injury caused by a comebacker, Naile made a strong comeback during the championship series. The 31-year-old previously appeared in 17 MLB games with the St. Louis Cardinals from 2022 to 2023. The Tigers have also added Adam Oller to their roster this offseason but are yet to decide on re-signing outfielder Socrates Brito, who had a productive .310/.359/.516 season in 2024.
Victor Reyes Returns to Lotte Giants
Switch-hitting center fielder Victor Reyes has signed a $1 million deal with $250K in incentives to return to the Lotte Giants. Reyes shined in his first KBO season, slashing .352/.394/.511 with 40 doubles and 15 home runs. A former Detroit Tigers mainstay, Reyes appeared in nearly 400 MLB games between 2018 and 2022, producing a .264/.294/.379 line over five seasons. The Lotte Giants now have two open slots for foreign players, both likely to be allocated for pitchers as they evaluate whether to retain Charlie Barnes and Aaron Wilkerson, who filled those roles in 2024.
What’s Next?
These re-signings solidify the foreign player rosters for SSG Landers, Kia Tigers, and Lotte Giants as they prepare for the upcoming KBO season. With strong performances expected from these former MLB players, the KBO continues to attract and maximize the talents of international stars while offering them new opportunities to shine.
