The first bright spot in what has been a grim off-season for the Doosan Bears finally manifested as the team signed ex-San Francisco Giant Kim Sun-woo to a one year deal that will be finalized during the next 10 days.

Kim has spent the past 10 seasons in America, and was originally  signed by the Boston Red Sox out of high school in 1997. He appeared in 20 games with the Sox during 2001 before being traded in 2002, along with fellow Korean Seung Song, to the Montreal Expos for Cliff Floyd.

In 2004 Kim saw what would be the most consistent action of his career, starting 17 games for the Expos, going 4-6 with a 4.58 ERA. He moved with the Expos to Washington, but released by the Nationals in 2005. He was picked up by the Rockies, released, picked up by the Reds, released, and spent the past season in Fresno with the Triple-A affiliate of the Giants.

Doosan has had a terrible off-season. The Bears lost league MVP Daniel Rios to Japan, have had great difficulty in signing star third-baseman Kim Dong-ju to a new deal, and have had a very public contract squabble with catcher Hong Sung-heon.

Kim becomes the second high profile pitcher to return to Korea this off-season, the first being Seo Jae-weong, who signed with the Kia Tigers last month. Choi Hee-seop returned to Korea during the 2007 season. Also to the Kia Tigers.