The Korea Baseball Organization’s offseason is kicking into high gear, and free agents are finding new homes for 2026.
Starting in 2026, KBO clubs can have up to four foreign players on their roster. One player must be considered a part of the Asian Quota system, having participated in an Asian and/or Australian professional league the previous season.
World Baseball Network will keep you updated on all the notable KBO signings this winter.
Mitch White Re-Signs With Landers – Right-handed starting pitcher Mitch White re-signed with the SSG Landers for the 2026 season, according to a report from Dan Kurtz of MyKBO on X.
Kurtz added that White will earn $1.2 million next season. The 31-year-old was a second-round draft pick of the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2016 and had stints with the Dodgers, Toronto Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and Milwaukee Brewers from 2020-24.
In White’s first season in South Korea, he posted an 11-4 record and a 2.87 ERA in 24 starts, striking out 137 batters in 134 2/3 innings.
Harold Castro Inks Deal With Tigers – Infielder/outfielder Harold Castro signed a contract with the Kia Tigers last Wednesday, Dec. 24, as announced by the club.
Castro is a six-year MLB veteran who last made an appearance in 2023 with the Colorado Rockies. He spent the summer of 2024 in the LMB with the Toros de Tijuana, hitting .320 with six home runs and a .813 OPS in 84 games.
The following season, he hit 21 home runs after landing a minor contract with the Kansas City Royals, but didn’t earn an MLB promotion across 99 games at Triple-A Omaha. Castro will be an everyday contributor for the Tigers and can play second and third base and at either of the corner outfield positions.
Chris Flexen Returns to South Korea – Right-handed reliever Chris Flexen and the Doosan Bears agreed to a one-year contract for the 2026 season, the KBO club announced Dec. 18.
Flexen made 21 starts with the Bears in 2020 during MLB’s COVID-19 pandemic-shortened season, and most recently posted a 3.09 ERA in 21 games (one start) this past year with the Chicago Cubs.
He used his time in South Korea to earn a two-year contract with the Seattle Mariners during the offseason leading up to the 2021 season. Flexen will likely be in the Bears’ starting rotation but can also throw bulk innings out of the bullpen in a postseason scenario.
Additional Recent KBO Signings (All Reported by Dan Kurtz of MyKBO)
● Landers Re-Sign Outfielder Guillermo Heredia
● Hanwha Eagles Sign RHP Owen White
● Tigers Sign RHP Adam Oller
● Bears Re-Sign LHP Zach Logue
● Kiwoom Heroes Sign LHP Yuto Kanakubo
