The SSG Landers exceeded many pundits' expectations last season to finish in third place in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO), and their manager Lee Sung-yong said Monday he hopes his club will be overlooked again in 2026. "It's actually good for us when people underestimate us. It fuels me and my players," Lee told reporters at Incheon International Airport, west of Seoul, before departing for Florida to begin spring training. "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 Landers weren't regarded as a postseason contender before the start of the 2025 season, and injuries to key players in the early going threatened to derail their season. But the shutdown bullpen carried them throughout the year as the Landers advanced to the postseason with room to spare. "We want to maintain our edge in bullpen, and we will look to improve our starting pitching, hitting and defense during spring training," Lee added. A key component of the Landers' plans for an upgrade in hitting will be veteran s