Korean Series champions Tigers part ways with pitcher Lauer; Wiz to replace lefty Benjamin

Kia Tigers starter Eric Lauer pitches against the Samsung Lions during Game 3 of the Korean Series at Daegu Samsung Lions Park in Daegu, Oct. 25. Yonhap

The Korean Series champions Kia Tigers have decided not to bring back left-hander Eric Lauer after his short stint in the South Korean league, while the KT Wiz are set to replace veteran starter Wes Benjamin after three seasons together.

The two American pitchers were among 11 players on the non-tendered list announced by the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), Saturday.

Fifty-seven players have not been tendered contracts for 2025, and other than a handful of players in the group who have already announced their retirements, non-tendered players immediately became free agents.

If KBO teams hope to bring back foreign players, they express their intent to re-sign them by keeping such players off the non-tendered list.

However, it doesn't always result in a reunion for the following season. In that case, teams still retain rights to those players for five years, meaning that such players are not permitted to sign with another KBO team without the consent of their previous KBO club.

Lauer is free to go anywhere in the KBO if he chooses to come back, after going 2-2 with a 4.93 ERA in seven starts as a midseason arrival.

The Tigers have re-signed pitcher James Naile for 2025. Their foreign outfielder for the past three years, Socrates Brito, is not on the non-tendered list as the Tigers mull their future with him.

KT Wiz starter Wes Benjamin pitches against the LG Twins during Game 5 of the first round in the Korea Baseball Organization postseason at Jamsil Baseball Stadium in Seoul, Oct. 11. Yonhap

Elsewhere, the Wiz will not bring back Benjamin, who went 31-18 with a 3.74 ERA in three seasons with them. He was particularly strong against the LG Twins, pitching to a 1.66 ERA in 10 starts against them during his time in the KBO.

The Wiz re-signed Venezuelan right-hander William Cuevas, Friday, and are believed to be working on a new deal with outfielder Mel Rojas Jr.

The Doosan Bears have signed two new foreign pitchers for 2025, Cole Irvin and Thomas Hatch, and have made Jordan Balazovic and Brandon Waddell free agents.

The Kiwoom Heroes did the same with their two foreign pitchers from the 2024 season, Ariel Jurado and Enmanuel De Jesus. They formed the most effective foreign pitching tandem in 2024, combining for 23 wins and both posting a sub 4.00 ERA, but the rebuilding Heroes have chosen to go in a new direction and will carry just one foreign pitcher for 2025, Kenny Rosenberg.

The Hanwha Eagles have made pitcher Jaime Barria and outfielder Yonathan Perlaza free agents, too. (Yonhap)