The Doosan Bears told 11 players on the 19th that their contracts would not be renewed, and veteran outfielder Son Ah-seop was among them. It comes six months after he arrived from Hanwha in an April trade.
The Chosun Ilbo reported on the 20th that Doosan had released Son, and according to Mediapen and others, Doosan notified 11 players on the 19th, including pitchers Kim Myung-shin and Kim Ji-yoon and infielder Kim Min-hyuk. Son managed a .236 average, one home run and 15 RBI in 54 first-team games this season. No report was found confirming that the club gave an official reason beyond his poor results.
광고 문의 · 300×250How he got from Hanwha to Doosan
Son was traded from NC to Hanwha in July 2025, became a free agent after the season and re-signed with Hanwha for one year and 100 million won. But after Hanwha signed Kang Baek-ho his playing time shrank, and after pinch-hitting in the March 28 opener he was removed from the roster.
According to the Kyunghyang Shinmun, Doosan acquired Son on April 14, sending Hanwha left-hander Lee Gyo-hun and 150 million won in cash. Doosan was hitting just .230 as a team through 13 games, near the bottom of the league, and Hanwha needed bullpen help, so both sides’ needs lined up. Son homered on his first day but never found his swing afterward.
Career numbers and what remains
According to MK Sports and others, Son’s career line is 2,223 games, a .318 average, 2,655 hits, 183 home runs and 1,101 RBI. He ranks third in career hits, behind Choi Hyung-woo (2,734) and Kim Hyun-soo (2,691). A simple subtraction using the reported figures leaves 345 hits to the much-discussed 3,000 mark, but that is just arithmetic on media numbers; no goal announced by the club or player was confirmed.
Son’s next destination has not been disclosed. MK Sports described him as at a crossroads that could end his playing career. Whether the 38-year-old veteran knocks on another club’s door or chooses retirement is up to him and his agent.