SEOUL, The Kiwoom Heroes announced Monday they will bring back American outfielder Ronnie Dawson for the 2024 season.
The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) club said Dawson agreed to a new one-year deal worth up to US$600,000. He will earn $550,000 in guaranteed salary, and can make up to $50,000 more in incentives.
The Heroes signed Dawson in July as a midseason replacement for Addison Russell. In 57 games, Dawson batted .336/.398/.454 with three home runs, 29 RBIs and nine steals.
This Aug. 24, 2023, file photo provided by the Kiwoom Heroes shows the Korea Baseball Organization club's outfielder Ronnie Dawson.
The 28-year-old also quickly endeared himself to his Heroes teammates with his outgoing personality, and the team's coaches raved about his work ethic and the positive energy he brought to the stadium.
KBO teams can sign a maximum three foreign players, but no more than two pitchers. The Heroes ranked last in the 10-team KBO in 2023 with a record of 58-83-3 (wins-losses-ties), a year after finishing as the runners-up to the SSG Landers in the Korean Series. They finished the season with Dawson as their foreign bat, and Ariel Jurado and Ian McKinney as their foreign pitchers.
The Heroes have already decided not to offer McKinney a contract, but have been in talks with Jurado for a return in 2024.
Source: Yonhap News Agency