'Longevity foreigner' Kelly renews contract with LG for $1.5 million Playing in the KBO League for the 6th season

LG Twins foreign pitcher Casey Kelly.

'Long-running foreign player' Casey Kelly (34) has renewed his contract with the LG Twins and will be on the mound in the KBO League next year.

On the 22nd, the LG club announced that it had signed a new contract with Kelly for a total of $1.5 million ($400,000 contract deposit, $800,000 annual salary, and $300,000 incentive).

Kelly, who had signed a $1.8 million contract for the 2023 season, had his contract size reduced by $300,000.

With this contract renewal, Kelly will be spending his 6th season in the KBO League. He has been playing the longest among active KBO League foreign players.

Kelly, who joined LG in 2019, has performed consistently, achieving double-digit wins for five consecutive seasons.

His KBO League career records are 68 wins, 38 losses, and 684 strikeouts with an earned run average of 3.08 in 144 appearances. Last year, he won 16 games and became the winner of most wins.

Kelly appeared in 30 games this season, pitched 178⅔ innings, and recorded 10 wins, 7 losses, and an ERA of 3.83. He had a roller coaster ride in the first half, but rebounded in the second half, and pitched outstandingly in Games 1 and 5 of the Korean Series, leading the team to their first overall win in 29 years.

LG Twins foreign pitcher Casey Kelly.

In particular, Kelly has always shown dedication to the team, and coach Yeom Kyung-yeop appreciated this and expressed his intention to renew Kelly's contract during the Korean Series, which was unusual.

The LG team said, “Kelly is a proven pitcher who has already won 68 games in the KBO League. It is reassuring to be able to share a starting spot with Kelly in the 2024 season. “As he found himself again in the second half of last season, I have even more expectations for next year,” he said, explaining the reason for his contract renewal.

Kelly said through the LG club, “I’m already looking forward to playing in front of LG fans again next season. “I want to feel the love from LG fans that I felt during the Korean Series again next year,” he said. “I will prepare well next season so that I can bring joy to the fans by winning together with my teammates.”

LG, which previously renewed a contract with foreign hitter Austin Dean for a total of $1.3 million ($300,000 down payment, $800,000 annual salary, $200,000 incentive), captured both foreign players who contributed to the combined championship.

If LG recruits a new foreign pitcher in the future, it will complete the composition of foreign players for the 2024 season. Coach Yeom said, “We will bring in a first-choice foreign pitcher.” casinosite.zone