A growing number of active MLB players are choosing the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) over Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), drawn by favorable playing conditions, consistent opportunities, and the potential to use Korea as a springboard back to Major League Baseball.
The KIA Tigers of KBO League officially announced on Dec. 16 the signing of Adam Oller, a 30-year-old pitcher, to a one-year deal worth up to $1 million. Oller, an active major leaguer, appeared in eight games for Major League Baseball’s (MLB) Miami Marlins this season. He has pitched in 36 MLB games overall, including 23 as a starter.
The Tigers are also close to finalizing a deal with 33-year-old Patrick Wisdom, another active major leaguer, to replace outfielder Socrates Brito. Wisdom played in 75 games for the Chicago Cubs this year, hitting eight home runs with 23 RBIs and a .171 batting average.
Recently, a growing number of foreign players in the KBO league have been active major leaguers.
The LG Twins parted ways with left-handed pitcher Dietrich Enns and signed Yonny Chirinos, 31, who pitched for the Miami Marlins this season. The Doosan Bears brought in slugger Jake Cave, 32, who appeared in 123 games for the Colorado Rockies, and left-hander Cole Irvin, 30, who made 29 appearances for the Baltimore Orioles.
The Hanwha Eagles signed Estevan Florial, 27, after releasing Yonathan Perlaza. Despite significant interest from Japanese teams, Florial chose Hanwha on a deal worth $850,000. Mitch White, 27, a Korean American pitcher and former major leaguer, joined the SSG Landers on a fully guaranteed $1 million contract. Kiwoom Heroes acquired Kenny Rosenberg, 29, who pitched in seven games for the Los Angeles Angels this season.
Baseball insiders explain that active major leaguers are choosing Korea over Japan, despite higher salaries and a more competitive league in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), due to more favorable conditions for foreign players in the KBO. While foreign players in the past often came to S. Korea toward the end of their careers to extend their playing days, many now view S. Korea as a “land of new opportunities,” insiders noted.
Currently KBO teams can sign up to three foreign players and are allowed only two replacements during the season.
Given the high cost—often around $750,000—teams are reluctant to release foreign players unless they are severely injured. Instead, clubs tend to give struggling players more opportunities, hoping they will adapt. For foreign players looking to use S. Korea as a springboard to MLB, the consistent playing time and ability to maintain their skills are significant draws.
In contrast, Japan’s NPB offers higher salaries and no restrictions on the number of foreign players. However, it maintains stricter performance standards, with underperforming players frequently demoted to the minor leagues.
For these players, spending a long time in the minors can significantly hurt their chances of returning to MLB. It not only lowers their visibility but also prevents them from achieving stats or accomplishments that could attract interest from other teams.
Estevan Florial’s choice to turn down offers from Japanese teams and join the KBO instead has even sparked discussions in Japanese media. Critics are urging NPB to reconsider its approach to foreign players, saying it may be too rigid to attract top talent.
The growing number of players who succeed in Korea and then return to MLB has also impacted foreign players’ decisions.
Merrill Kelly, who played for the SK Wyverns (now SSG Landers), and Erick Fedde of the NC Dinos used their KBO success to rejoin MLB. Other examples include Ben Lively, formerly of the Samsung Lions, and Brandon Waddell and Jared Young, who both played for the Doosan Bears before returning to the United States.
Even players like James Naile of the KIA Tigers and Charlie Barnes of the Lotte Giants, who continue to play in S. Korea, are seen as strong candidates for an MLB comeback. Kyle Hart of the NC Dinos, who won the KBO Golden Glove for pitchers this year, is also reportedly close to a return.
A baseball official noted that some foreign players prefer Korea over Japan due to the perception that KBO pitchers are less challenging. While Japan’s stronger pitchers have created a “pitcher’s league,” Korea’s hitter-friendly environment allows foreign players to post stronger offensive stats, which serve as valuable proof of performance for MLB teams.
“MLB teams have seen players like Kelly and Fedde do really well after playing in Korea, so now they’re a lot more eager to scout talent from the KBO,” the official added.
