The 2024 season of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) is expected to be a tectonic shift in bullpens.

The Samsung Lions, who were exposed for their back-end weaknesses last year, are rolling up their sleeves to bolster their bullpen, while the LG Twins and KT Wiz, who boasted solid mounds, are forced to retool amid a power shift.

Samsung was the most troubled team last year with a shaky bullpen. In 2023, Samsung’s bullpen had a 5.16 ERA, 카지노사이트 the lowest among the 10 teams. They were also the worst in the league in blown saves with 38.

Faced with this harsh reality, Samsung has been aggressive in bolstering its bullpen this winter.

Last November, the team signed former KT Wiz closer Kim Jae-yoon to a four-year, $5.8 billion contract, signaling its commitment to building a solid bullpen. Kim Jae-yoon is a specialized closer who has recorded more than 30 saves in three consecutive seasons.

On the 5th, the team signed pitcher Im Chang-min for two years and a total of 800 million won. The veteran reliever has 122 career saves and 57 holds.

The team also acquired left-handed pitcher Choi Sung-hoon and underhanded Yang Hyun in the second round of the draft after the 2023 season.

Other teams are hoping for a stronger bullpen.

The Kiwoom Heroes, who struggled with a 4.94 ERA (9th) in the bullpen last year, lost Im Chang-min to Samsung, but are hoping for a stronger back end with Cho Sang-woo. Jo joined the team recently after completing his military service, where he recorded 33 saves in 2020.

The Lotte Giants, coached by Kim Tae-hyung, were another team that struggled with a weak bullpen last year. The Lotte bullpen had an ERA of 4.63 (8th). It was a far cry from the starting staff, which did a decent job at 3.83 (3rd). Lotte acquired Jin Hae-soo in a trade with the LG Twins after the season and kept Im Joon-seop, who was released by the SSG Landers, to fill out their left-handed bullpen.

Meanwhile, the LG Twins and KT Wiz, who battled it out in the Korean Series last year, have a big task ahead of them out the back door.

Closer Ko Woo-seok (San Diego Padres), who got the final out in Game 5 of last year’s Korean Series to clinch the title for LG, has left for the United States.

LG manager Yoon Kyung-yeop plans to use Yoo Young-chan, who is in his second year in the organization, 카지노사이트 as a closer to fill the void left by Ko.

KT will also have to fill the void left by Kim Jae-yoon’s departure to Samsung in 2024. KT, whose strength is its high mound, suffered the fewest upset losses among the 10 teams last year with 20. The key will be whether the team can maintain a solid back end after the departure of Kim Jae-yoon, who has been the team’s closer since 2016.