SSG Landers manager Lee Sung-yong hopes his team will be overlooked again in 2026 after exceeding expectations with a third-place finish in the Korea Baseball Organization last season. Speaking to reporters at Incheon International Airport before departing for Florida spring training, he said underestimation fuels the players. The team aims to build on its strong bullpen while improving hitting and starting pitching.
The SSG Landers were not seen as postseason contenders before the 2025 season began, with injuries to key players threatening to derail their campaign early on. Yet a shutdown bullpen carried them through, securing a playoff spot with margin to spare and a surprising third-place finish in the Korea Baseball Organization. Manager Lee Sung-yong, speaking at Incheon International Airport on January 19 before heading to Florida for spring training, embraced the underdog narrative. "It's actually good for us when people underestimate us. It fuels me and my players," he told reporters. "Last year, our players overcame so much adversity to win so many games. The goal this season is to finish in a higher place than last season."
The team plans to maintain its bullpen strength while focusing on upgrades to starting pitching, hitting, and defense during camp. A pivotal addition for offense is veteran slugger Kim Jae-hwan, who signed with the Landers in December after talks with the Doosan Bears collapsed. The 2018 regular-season MVP, now 37, will primarily serve as the designated hitter to optimize his batting. Kim admitted feeling awkward in Landers gear and needing adjustments in spring training. He avoided details on his Bears negotiations—his only club since debuting in 2008—but said he switched teams to avoid career regrets. Reflecting on his tough 2025, limited to 13 homers and a .241 average in 103 games, he noted, "It was really tough feeling the gaze of the fans who were disappointed with me." Now, "I am not feeling any pressure at all. I just want to get settled in with the new team."
Healthy, Kim could deliver 20-plus home runs, boosted by playing home games at the hitter-friendly Incheon SSG Landers Field. "I am curious myself to see how well I am going to hit in that stadium," he said, cautioning against overexpectation.
On pitching, franchise stalwart Kim Kwang-hyun will shift to the rotation's back end with periodic rests. The 37-year-old lefty posted a career-worst 5.00 ERA over 28 starts last year amid shoulder issues. Lee aims to ensure an injury-free season for him, and Kim agreed: "In the past, I always put pressure on myself to be ready to pitch on Opening Day... This year, I will take my time... If we want to go deep into the postseason, we all have to take care of our bodies."
