Kiwoom Heroes Secure Ha Young-min with Landmark Eight-Year Deal
The Kiwoom Heroes officially announced an eight-year, 8 billion won multi-year contract with pitcher Ha Young-min on June 13th, solidifying a long-term commitment to their franchise player. The agreement, which includes options, extends from the 2027 through the 2034 season and was finalized with Ha Young-min’s family and team officials present.
This substantial deal marks the sixth-largest non-FA multi-year contract for a pitcher in KBO League history. It follows significant agreements like Ryu Hyun-jin’s 8-year, 17 billion won contract, Kim Kwang-hyun’s 4-year, 15.1 billion won deal, Koo Chang-mo’s 7-year, 13.2 billion won contract, Ko Young-pyo’s 5-year, 10.7 billion won deal, and Park Se-woong’s 5-year, 9 billion won agreement.
The Heroes emphasized their intent to build a stable pitching staff and retain Ha Young-min as a crucial asset for their mid-to-long-term strategy. Drafted fourth overall in the 2014 KBO draft by the then-Nexen Heroes, Ha Young-min made an immediate impact, winning his debut as a high school rookie starting pitcher.
While his career initially saw him primarily in a bullpen role, Ha Young-min stepped up as a starter in the 2024 season following An Woo-jin’s military departure, performing as the team’s top domestic starter. He completed over 150 innings in both the 2024 and 2025 seasons. This season, he has started 15 games, recording 3 wins and 5 losses with an ERA of 4.16. Ha Young-min expressed gratitude for the opportunity to remain a “Hero for life,” acknowledging the significant responsibility that comes with the new contract.
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