Lotte Giants sign free agent pitcher Han Hyun-hee in 4-billion-won deal

Han Hyun-hee poses in a Lotte Giants shirt in a photo released by the club on Tuesday. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The Lotte Giants on Tuesday signed free agent pitcher Han Hyun-hee on a three-plus-one deal worth up to 4 billion won ($3.2 million).

Han, formerly of the Kiwoom Heroes, will get 300 million won as a signing bonus and up to 3.7 billion won in total salary, starting at 1.5 billion won in his first year.

Han pitched his entire career with the Kiwoom Heroes, debuting in 2012 when the club was called the Nexen Heroes. He has a career 4.26 ERA with 65 wins and 43 losses, although his ERA rose to 4.75 in the 2022 season. He was absent from the team's entry for the 2022 playoffs.

"Han Hyun-hee has lost about nine kilograms since the end of last season and has changed since marriage," Lotte said in a statement. "He has been active in all positions, including as a starter and a bullpen pitcher, and signed the contract because he thought he could perform well at Lotte."

Han was the last "A" rated player in the KBO free agent market. Four players remain unsigned: Pitchers Jeong Chan-heon and Kang Ri-ho and outfielders Kwon Hui-dong and Lee Myung-ki.

BY JIM BULLEY [jim.bulley@joongang.co.kr]