Padres sign Korea's 'Cy Young' winning starter to one-year deal

The San Diego Padres seem to have finally realized the dire situation their starting rotation was in. Just one day after signing Nick Pivetta to a four-year, $55 million deal, San Diego has signed another starter. Kyle Hart, who spent the 2024 season with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization, has agreed to a one-year, $1.5 million deal with an option for 2026.

Unless you are a die hard fan of the Boston Red Sox minor league system, Kyle Hart should not be a familiar name. The 32-year-old has appeared in just four major league games since being drafted in 2016, but after a move to Korea before the 2024 season, Hart found his stride. Winning the 2024 Choi Dong-won Award, which is given to the KBO's best starting pitcher, Hart will look to slide into the backend of the Padres rotation.

Padres starting rotation almost complete

The Hart signing answers a major question the Padres still needed to answer heading into spring training, who would man the backend of the rotation? With inner options consisting of Matt Waldron, Randy Vasquez, and a number of unproven prospects, San Diego looked to be starting the year in a less than ideal situation. Now with both Hart and Pivetta joining the team and effectively replacing Vasquez and Waldron, the Padres are in a much stronger position.

Hart was dominant in his one season in Korea, starting 26 games and winning half of them. Finishing the year with a 13-3 record, 2.69 ERA, and an impressive 10.4 K/9, Hart will add to a Padres rotation that was sixth in the league in strikeouts in 2024.

With a five-pitch mix that relies heavily on his slider, Hart will not be lighting up the radar guns, but a range of movements and speeds are sure to throw hitters off. A sinker that tops out around 90 will be his fastest pitch. Rarely giving up free passes, his 2.2 BB/9 in 2024 was better than the 2024 MLB average of 3.1.

His relatively cheap contract also adds to the overall positive nature of the signing. Guaranteed $1.5 million through a $1 million salary and $500k buyout, the contract includes a team option for 2026 worth $5 million. That option can rise to $7.5 million based on games started incentives.