The Pittsburgh Pirates have won the bidding to negotiate a contract with Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO).
The bid submitted by the Pirates was just over $5 million, which more than double the expected bid of $2 million as reported by Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency in Seoul, South Korea.
Per source: Nexen was expecting about $2 million in posting (low expectations after two KBO players before Kang got around that money)
— Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) December 20, 2014
Yoo also reports that a contract for Kang could be in the $5-6 million range per year.
ICYMI: according to my source, here’s what Alan Nero is seeking for Kang. $20 mil for 4 yrs, or $16.5 mil for 3 yrs, or $12 mil for 2 yrs — Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) December 20, 2014
The 28-year-old posted a slash line of .354/.457/.733 with a 1.198 OPS, 40 home runs and 115 RBI in 116 games last season in the offensive-friendly KBO while helping lead the Nexen Heroes to the Korea Series — the KBO’s Championship Series — and league MVP honors.
Kang was a catcher in high school and while he played shortstop for the Heroes, he spent time playing third base for the South Korean team in the 2010 Asian Games.
Ben Badler of Baseball America reports that Kang could be a solid bench/utility player.
Scouts I spoke with on Kang said he has a chance to be a nice bench bat/utility man. Posting fee reflects that.
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) December 22, 2014
The Pirates have 30 days to work out a deal with Kang and his agent, Alan Nero. If a deal is not worked out in that time, the Pirates will get back the posting fee.
(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
