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KBO career hits leader Son Ah Seop got a harsh reminder of how cold the free-agent market can be, settling for a one-year deal with his original club, the Hanwha Eagles.
Hanwha announced Thursday that it signed Son to a one-year free-agent contract worth 100 million won. Son is set to join the Futures spring camp in Kochi, Japan, on Friday.
The outcome surprised some observers. Son has long been regarded as one of the KBO’s top contact hitters and holds the league’s all-time hits record.
Questions also lingered because Son was a C-grade free agent this offseason. Unlike A- and B-grade free agents, a C-grade signing does not require the acquiring team to send a compensation player. A team other than Hanwha would have needed to pay only compensation equal to 150% of Son’s 500 million won salary this year, or 750 million won.
The lack of interest is widely attributed to concerns about aging and overall value for the 1988-born veteran. This season, Son hit .288 with 107 hits, one home run and a .723 OPS. While his average remained solid, questions persisted about his power and defensive usefulness. Designated hitter spots are often filled by home run hitters, and Son has been viewed as a contact-first DH with outfield defense considered a weakness. Some evaluators also say his contact skills have slipped from his peak.
Hanwha, meanwhile, was not under pressure in negotiations after landing Kang Baek Ho on a massive four-year, 10 billion won contract in this free-agent market. With a younger, more powerful bat secured, Hanwha held leverage in talks with Son.
Son now aims to reset his value, a path that recalls infielder Ha Ju Seok. After the 2024 season, Ha filed for free agency but stayed with Hanwha on a one-year, 110 million won deal (90 million won guaranteed plus 20 million won in incentives). He then delivered strong play at the plate and in the field, helping the team finish runner-up, and earned a new contract this season at 200 million won — a 122.2% raise.
Son and Ha play different positions — Ha can handle both shortstop and second base — but Son could still change the narrative if he improves his outfield defense and restores more noticeable offensive production.
Given the adjustments Son faced after being traded from the NC Dinos to Hanwha last season, the club believes a better year is possible. If he carries his offseason training into a productive season built on his contact hitting, his future evaluation could shift significantly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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