Ex-KBO pitcher Gamboa signs minor league deal with Red Sox: reports
Lotte Giants starter Alec Gamboa pitches against the Hanwha Eagles during the clubs' Korea Baseball Organization regular-season game at Hanwha Life Eagles Park in Daejeon, Aug. 12. Yonhap
One-time Lotte Giants starter Alec Gamboa has reportedly signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox after an up-and-down half season in Korea.
Citing league sources, reports out of the United States said Tuesday (local time) that Gamboa agreed to a split contract with an invitation to spring training. If Gamboa reaches the majors, he will make $925,000, but he will earn less while in the minors.
Gamboa, 28, has yet to pitch in the majors.
In 2025, he signed with the Giants in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) in May to replace injured starter Charlie Barnes, after pitching in Triple-A in the Los Angeles Dodgers system. Gamboa lost his first start in the KBO on May 27 but then won all five starts in June, pitching to a 1.72 ERA over 31 1/3 innings to win the Player of the Month award.
However, Gamboa faded badly in the second half of the season, with a 1-7 record and a 4.55 ERA over his final 12 starts. The Giants also fell out of a postseason spot during their late season swoon.
Three other pitchers who played in the KBO this year have gone back to the majors. Cody Ponce, who won the regular-season MVP award as No. 1 starter for the Hanwha Eagles, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays, while his rotation mate, Ryan Weiss, joined the Houston Astros. Former SSG Landers ace Drew Anderson is now a member of the Detroit Tigers.
In addition to losing Gamboa, the Giants have also decided not to bring back Vince Velasquez, a former big leaguer who went 1-4 with an ugly 8.23 ERA in 11 starts as a midseason replacement for Tucker Davidson.