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KBO hit king Son Ah-seop traded to Doosan Bears

Published: 14 Apr. 2026, 13:28 Updated: 14 Apr. 2026, 15:59

Son Ah-seop of the Hanwha Eagles walks onto the field at Daejeon Hanwha Life Ballpark in the central city of Daejeon during the pregame ceremony ahead of a Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game against the Kiwoom Heroes on March 28, in this photo provided by the Eagles. [YONHAP]

Son Ah-seop, the career hits leader in Korean baseball, has been traded.

The Hanwha Eagles announced Tuesday it has dealt Son to the Doosan Bears in exchange for left-handed pitcher Lee Kyo-hoon and 150 million won ($101,160) in cash.

Son is the all-time hit king in Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) history with 2,618, but he has logged just one pitch-hit at-bat for the Hanhwa 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 Hanhwa Eagles in July last year. He batted .288 for the season while collecting 107 hits — 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 Hanhwa Eagles in early February on a one-year deal worth 100 million won.

Son, however, was not part of the Hanhwa Eagles' plans, with younger outfielders getting the majority of playing time. Now he joins the Doosan Bears team that ranks dead 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 Doosan 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 Doosan Bears immediately for Tuesday's game against the SSG Landers at Incheon SSG Landers Field in Incheon, a city 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.

Yonhap