KBO Champions LG Twins Sign Veteran Duo for 2026 Title Defense

The reigning South Korean baseball champions, the LG Twins, announced on Monday they have signed a pair of veteran players, bolstering their roster for a title defense in the 2026 season. The club acquired 38-year-old reliever Jang Si-hwan and 34-year-old catcher Kim Min-su to serve as depth pieces.

According to the team, financial terms of the deals were not disclosed. Both players spent the entire 2025 season in the Futures League, the KBO's minor circuit, without seeing any action in the top-tier league.

Jang Si-hwan is a well-traveled arm with a unique distinction: he's the last active player from the now-defunct Hyundai Unicorns, where he debuted in 2007. His extensive career has included stops with the Kiwoom Heroes, KT Wiz, Lotte Giants, and Hanwha Eagles. In his KBO career, Jang has a 5.31 ERA over 787 innings in 416 games. In nine Futures League appearances in 2025, he posted a 1-1 record with a 4.15 ERA.

Catcher Kim Min-su was drafted by the Hanwha Eagles in 2013 and later played for the Samsung Lions from 2017 to 2024. Known for his solid defense, Kim is expected to strengthen the Twins' catching corps. He spent 2025 in the Futures League, batting .333 in 21 games. His career KBO numbers include a .198 batting average with four homers and 27 RBIs in 160 games.

"Jang Si-hwan is an experienced pitcher who can add depth to our pitching staff, and Kim Min-su will strengthen our catching corps with his steady defense," the Twins said in a statement. "We also expect the two players to set a good example for the rest of our team with their strong work ethic."

PRISM Insight: The Twins' move mirrors a global trend in sports analytics: championships aren't just built with superstars, but with cost-effective, high-character veterans who fill specific roster gaps. This signing signals a pragmatic approach to a title defense, focusing on roster resilience and avoiding a high-priced 'championship hangover' by finding value in overlooked assets.