Seoul: Kim Do-yeong, the reigning MVP in South Korean baseball, has secured a record-setting raise for the upcoming season from the Kia Tigers. The Tigers announced that Kim signed a new one-year deal for 500 million won (US$347,440), a significant increase from his previous salary of 100 million won in 2024.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this salary marks the highest ever for a fourth-year player in the history of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). The previous record was held by Lee Jung-hoo, who earned 390 million won in 2020 before moving to the San Francisco Giants. Kim's 400 percent annual salary increase is the largest in the history of the Tigers and the second-largest in the KBO, excluding free agent deals or multiyear extensions.
In the KBO, players typically sign one-year contracts before they are eligible for free agency after eight full seasons. At just 21 years old, Kim had a standout season in 2024, achieving significant milestones. He became the youngest and fastest player to achieve 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a single season, ending with 38 home runs and 40 stolen bases. Kim led the league with a record 143 runs scored and a .647 slugging percentage, and he ranked third in batting average, hits, and on-base percentage. His performance was instrumental in leading the Tigers to the Korean Series championship.
Kim's outstanding season was recognized with the regular-season MVP award, which he won overwhelmingly by securing 95 out of 101 votes from the media. His popularity was also reflected off the field, as the Tigers sold 10 billion won worth of Kim jerseys last season, making up more than half of the team's total jersey sales.
In response to his new contract, Kim expressed gratitude and a sense of responsibility, stating, "I'd like to thank the team for such a great contract. I am happy to have signed the deal. But at the same time, I feel a weight of responsibility. I will not feel complacent with where I am at the moment and will keep getting better and better."