Kim Dong-yeop visited Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on the afternoon of the 4th and signed a contract with Kiwoom Heroes. "I know what the team is looking forward to," he said in a phone call with this newspaper, "I will play baseball with desperation, thinking that it is the last team. I am grateful to Kiwoom for the opportunity."안전놀이터

When announcing the recruitment of Kim Dong-yeop, Kiwoom said, "I am glad to have the right-handed slugger that the team needs," adding, "With the addition of Kim Dong-yeop, we will be able to balance the left and right sides of the lineup to launch stronger and more structured attacks. As an experienced veteran player, I expect to have a positive impact on young players on our team." Kim Dong-yeop hit 92 home runs in total in the KBO League. In 2018, he hit the most 27 home runs in a single season as a member of the SK Wyverns. Kiwoom, where key hitters such as Lee Ju-hyung and Song Sung-moon are mainly left-handed, will be pleased to see right-handed Kim Dong-yeop join the team.

Kim's performance in this season is merely 0.111 (two hits in 12 times at bat) in eight games. Wearing a Samsung uniform through a triangular trade in December 2018, he seemed to live up to expectations by hitting 20 home runs in the 2020 season. However, he has lost ground since then due to minor injuries and sluggish performance. Under Samsung coach Park Jin-man, he spent a long time in the second division as a backup outfielder, and this year was not much different.

"Samsung has been a team for the longest time in its professional career," Kim said. "I am sorry that I did not meet the expectations of my passionate fans. Under these circumstances, I feel sorry that I have to leave the team without even saying thank you. I will do my best with gratitude in mind."

After his release from Samsung, Kim was interested in recruitment by multiple teams. This means that he has been recognized for his competitiveness in the first division. When he was with the SK Wyverns, Kim was evaluated as more powerful than Jamie Romak (who recorded two homeruns outside the stadium in Jamsil, Seoul). If only he can support his physical condition, he will be able to hit double-digit homers. Kiwoom had 20 homeruns this season as the team's homeruns ranked the lowest in the league (140; Samsung's 185 at the top).

"I was proud when I wore the Samsung uniform. I was disappointed because of unexpected injuries, but I will definitely show better performance at Kiwoom," Kim said. "Now I am not sick at all. I am in good physical condition. I will do my best to end my baseball career happily."