Seoul: Son Ah-seop, the career hits leader in South Korean baseball, has been traded. The Hanwha Eagles announced Tuesday they have dealt Son to the Doosan Bears in exchange for left-handed pitcher Lee Kyo-hoon and 150 million won (US$101,160) in cash.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Son is the all-time hit king in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history with 2,618 hits, but he has logged just one pitch-hit at-bat for the Eagles this season. He batted 3-for-8 in three games in the minor league prior to the trade. The 38-year-old veteran began his KBO career with the Lotte Giants in 2007. He signed with the NC Dinos as a free agent before the 2022 season and then was traded to the Eagles in July last year. Last season, he batted .288 while collecting 107 hits, marking his 15th season with at least 100 hits.
Son became a free agent again after the 2025 campaign but was the last player to land a deal on the open market, as he returned to the Eagles in early February on a one-year deal worth 100 million won. However, Son was not part of the Eagles' plans, with younger outfielders getting the majority of playing time. Now he joins a Bears team that ranks last this season with a .230 team batting average and 101 hits through 13 games.
"We made this trade to strengthen our lineup. He is one of the most experienced hitters in this league," the Bears said. "We believe he can still compete at a high level. We also expect him to be our clubhouse leader."
While Son remains at the top of the hits leaderboard, Samsung Lions veteran Choi Hyoung-woo is closing in on Son with 2,599 hits. Kim Hyun-soo of the KT Wiz is also within striking distance with 2,549 hits, and both Choi and Kim have played all 13 games for their teams this season. Son is expected to join the Bears immediately for Tuesday's game against the SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, just west of Seoul.
Going the other way in Tuesday's deal is Lee, the 25-year-old lefty with 59 KBO games and a career 7.28 ERA over 55 2/3 innings. He has not yet pitched in the KBO this season and has a 2.70 ERA in seven minor league games.