The Hanwha Eagles announced Wednesday that they have signed right-hander Troy Watson to a $1 million deal for the 2027 season.

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Watson was a potential signing target for KBO teams earlier in 2026 but was added to Detroit’s 40-man roster in July to protect him from leaving for a team in Korea or Japan. He ultimately never appeared in an MLB game for Detroit and was designated for assignment in August. The Seattle Mariners claimed him off waivers Aug. 15, and he spent the remainder of the 2026 season with the Tacoma Rainiers.

Watson split time between starting and relieving for Triple-A Toledo in Detroit’s organization, posting a 3.27 ERA in 55 innings with 38 strikeouts. After being claimed by Seattle, he posted a 4.20 ERA with 15 strikeouts in 15 innings as a reliever for the Tacoma Rainiers.

With the Hanwha Eagles, Watson is expected to join the starting rotation. He will look to follow in the footsteps of Ryan Weiss and Cody Ponce, using success in the KBO to earn an MLB contract next offseason.

Hanwha reached the 2025 Korean Series with Ponce and Weiss but fell short against the LG Twins. Losing both pitchers to MLB in the offseason was a significant blow that the Eagles were unable to overcome.

In 2025, Hanwha led the KBO in ERA at 3.55, shutouts and strikeouts. Its starting rotation led the league with a 3.51 ERA, and the team allowed the second-fewest home runs.

In 2026, the pitching staff struggled without Weiss and Ponce. Hanwha had the second-worst starting pitcher ERA in the league at 5.13. The team recorded just one shutout after posting 13 in 2025. It also allowed the third-most home runs and recorded the third-fewest strikeouts.

The team’s offseason signing of Wilkel Hernández did not work out. Hernández posted a 4.92 ERA in 16 starts before being released in July. Its July signing of Bruce Zimmermann also struggled. The former major league pitcher posted a 13.50 ERA in five starts before being moved to the bullpen.

One of Hanwha’s top young pitchers, Dong-ju Moon, underwent shoulder surgery June 20 and is expected to miss the start of the 2027 season.

Amid injuries and struggles on the mound, Hanwha saw its win total drop by 26 games to 57 victories, finishing 11th in the standings.

If Hanwha hopes to return to the postseason, Watson will need to deliver on the mound for a team in desperate need of pitching.