Seoul: The Kia Tigers have announced the completion of their foreign player signings for the 2026 season, re-signing a starting pitcher and securing two new hitters.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Tigers have re-signed right-hander Adam Oller to a one-year contract valued at up to $1.2 million. Oller will receive $700,000 in salary along with a $200,000 signing bonus, and he has the potential to earn an additional $300,000 through incentives. Oller, who made his Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) debut in 2025, led the Tigers with 11 wins and 169 strikeouts over 149 innings. Despite his performance, the Tigers, who were the 2024 Korean Series champions, did not make it to the postseason in 2025 due to injuries affecting key players.
The Tigers also re-signed another pitcher, James Naile, for his third KBO season in November. Additionally, they have introduced a new foreign hitter, Harold Castro, into their lineup, replacing Patrick Wisdom. Castro, a former major leaguer, signed a $1 million contract, which includes $700,000 in salary, a $200,000 signing bonus, and $100,000 in incentives. Castro, 32, has played 450 major league games, notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Colorado Rockies. In the minors this year, he demonstrated his abilities by hitting .307 with 21 homers and 65 RBIs in 99 games for the Kansas City Royals' Triple-A team.
The Tigers have also utilized their new Asian quota spot by signing Australian infielder Jarryd Dale. The Melbourne native, at age 25, will earn $150,000, comprising $70,000 in salary, a $40,000 signing bonus, and $40,000 in incentives. Starting in 2026, KBO teams are allowed to sign an extra foreign-born player from an Asian country or Australia, provided the player participated in an Asian league or in Australia the previous year.
Dale, who spent the 2025 season with Japan's Orix Buffaloes in the minors, batted .297 with two homers and 14 RBIs in 41 games. His diverse fielding skills mirror those of Castro, as both have played every position except catcher throughout their careers. Dale comes from a baseball lineage, with his father Phil having been a pitcher for the Australian national team and a scout who signed Korean pitching prospect Jung Sung-ki for the Atlanta Braves. Jarryd's brother Ryan and cousin Jon Kennedy have also been involved in professional baseball, having played in the minor leagues.
The Kia Tigers' strategic signings aim to reinforce their roster for the upcoming season, with a focus on versatility and experience.