Samsung Lions starter Denyi Reyes celebrates after retiring the side in order in the top of the seventh inning of Game 3 of the Korean Series against the Kia Tigers at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, Oct. 25. Yonhap
Samsung Lions announced Monday they have re-signed a pair of Dominican-born players for their second season in South Korea.
The Lions said right-hander Denyi Reyes agreed to a one-year deal worth up to $1.2 million. He received $200,000 in signing bonus and will earn $700,000 in guaranteed salary, with another $300,000 up for grabs in incentives.
Reyes earned $800,000 in 2024 while going 11-4 with a 3.81 ERA in 26 starts in his first Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) season. He also shined in the postseason as the Lions made a run to the Korean Series, giving up just one earned run in 20 2/3 innings across three starts. He was named the MVP of the second round against the LG Twins, and was the winning pitcher in Game 3 of the Korean Series against the Kia Tigers. It ended up being the Lions' only win of the championship series.
First baseman Lewin Diaz signed for an $800,000 contract — $500,000 in salary, $100,000 in signing bonus and $200,000 in incentives.
Lewin Diaz of the Samsung Lions celebrates after hitting a two-run home run against the Kia Tigers during Game 5 of the Korean Series at Gwangju-Kia Champions Field in Gwangju, Oct. 28. Yonhap
Diaz joined the Lions in August on a $170,000 deal as their third foreign hitter of 2024, as they had cut ties with David MacKinnon and then Ruben Cardenas due to injuries.
In 29 games, Diaz hit seven home runs and drove in 19 runs, while batting .282/.331/.518. Diaz was even better in the postseason, launching five home runs with 10 RBIs in nine games, while batting .353.
Also on Monday, the Lions signed their own free agent outfielder Kim Hun-gon to a new two-year contract worth up to 600 million won ($428,020). Kim, 36, took a signing bonus of 200 million won and will earn 200 million won over the next two seasons in guaranteed salary. He can make another 200 million won in incentives.
Kim has only played for the Lions since making his KBO debut with them in 2011.
In 2024, Kim batted a career-high .302 in 117 games with nine home runs and 34 RBIs. He had four home runs during the postseason, including two in the Korean Series.
Of 20 free agents this offseason, 10 have either found a new home or have stayed put. (Yonhap)