The Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization announced their trio of foreign-born players for the 2025 season. The Heroes signed outfielders Yasiel Puig ($1MM) and Ruben Cardenas ($450K salary with $150K in incentives) and left-hander Kenny Rosenberg ($700K salary with $100K in incentives). The deals were relayed (on X) by Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net.
Rosenberg is the only one of the trio who appeared in the majors in 2024. The 29-year-old southpaw pitched in seven games for the Angels, allowing an even 6.00 ERA across 24 innings. It was the third straight season in which Rosenberg made a handful of appearances for the Halos. He worked as a depth option for the rotation or low-leverage relief and combined for a 4.66 mark over 67 2/3 frames.
Los Angeles released Rosenberg within the first few days of the offseason. This will be the first overseas stint for the Cal State Northridge product. Rosenberg had previously split his eight-year professional career between the Rays and Angels organizations. He has a solid Triple-A track record. Over parts of five seasons at the top minor league level, he carries a 4.10 ERA while striking out a quarter of opposing hitters.
Puig hasn’t appeared in the majors since 2019. He played the 2022 season in Korea with the Heroes. Puig spent the ’24 campaign in Mexico. Cardenas spent most of this this year in Triple-A. He divided his time between the Rays’ and Phillies’ systems but didn’t get a big league call. He signed with the KBO’s Samsung Lions late in the year but only made seven appearances. The Cal State Fullerton product should get a more significant opportunity for the Heroes.
Thank god, otherwise the Angels would probably bring him back
Can’t believe Puig is only 33.
York – I don’t think I’ve seen it reported here, but former Red Sox legend Yoenis Cespedis is planning a return to MLB next year.
He’s very old though, 39.
Can they sign Ken Rosenthal too?
Lloyd – The Heroes really need to sign Gabi Butler.
Save the cheerleader, save the world.
Pretty cool to get to experience a new culture fir a year getting paid for playing a game you love.
OMG they signed Kenny. You basturds!
Wow, usually Korean teams sign 2 foreign pitcher and 1 foreign hitter to fill their quota (Max 3 foreign player). But this time Kiwoom choose to bring 2 hitter. And all of them, from LA area.
I know he’s no longer a real MLB option, but is Puig no longer a headliner for articles?
CSUN in the house ! Go Matadors !
He was the happiest player to be there in the bigs I know that.