Berardino: Byung-ho Park Reportedly Headed to the Twin Cities

[East Coast Twin]

According to Mike Berandino, a South Korean news agency reports that Byung-ho Park departs on Sunday for the Twins Cities.  He is scheduled to meet with Twins officials and undergo a physical exam.  It's not clear whether the parties have reached an agreement, which is expected to be in the $20M to $30M range over four years.

 

http://blogs.twincities.com/twins/2015/11/28/5875/

 

[h2oface]

29 seems a bit old to be shelling out the dough. I hope they did more than watch youtubes this time.

 

"A similar strategy could be used as leverage by Park, who could rate an annual salary in excess of $5 million in Japan should talks with the Twins break down, sources said." 

 

Seems they shouldn't offer him more than he would get in Japan, anyway.

[Seth Stohs]

While it's important to know that Park was a much better player than Jung-ho Kang in Korea, here is a look at the contract that Kang signed with the Pirates a year ago.

 

Four years, $11 million with an option for the 2019 season. Here are his annual contract breakdowns:

 

2015: $2.5M, 2016: $2.5M, 2017: $2.75M, 2018: $3.0M, 2019: Club option at $5.5M, with a $0.25M buyout.

 

 

[Jerr]

I hope the Twins do not overpay for I fear is an overrated/unproven major leaguer.

 

It continues to be a very interesting off season!

[HitInAPinch]

Awarded the winning bid Nov. 7, deadline to sign is Dec. 8 and he's just now flying into Chicago to meet with his agent.  Then a physical.  Then I hope they get him in a batting cage with the machine cranked up to 94-95 mph.  Cutting kinda short, aren't we?

[jorgenswest]

I don't care about the number. I do care that once he is a Twin, he earns his spot on the roster and playing time based on his performance rather than size of his contract.

[DuluthFan]

 

Awarded the winning bid Nov. 7, deadline to sign is Dec. 8 and he's just now flying into Chicago to meet with his agent.  Then a physical.  Then I hope they get him in a batting cage with the machine cranked up to 94-95 mph.  Cutting kinda short, aren't we?

 

He was still playing in games last week. Physicals are usually the last step before signing. He can't negotiate with any other teams so you don't need lots of time to make a deal.

[Seth Stohs]

Yeah, I would put my concern level about him signing at about 0.01% Plenty of time left, and as was mentioned, he was playing in Taiwan and Japan until one week ago.

[dougkoebernick]

I would guess that the Twins have done their due diligence on this and not just watched some youtube videos. If they overpay, it is their money and at least they are willing to write some big checks. 

 

Along those lines, I applaud them for signing Nolasco, Hughes and Santana. They had to spend some money to get actual big league pitchers to come to Minnesota and begin the process of stabilizing the rotation. They could have gone cheap and not signed them but they were at least trying. Nolasco hasn't worked out yet but he has shown glimpses when not injured. I think Santana is a good get and Hughes hopefully will bounce back from his injury and be the Hughes of 2014 in 2016. 

[nicksaviking]

I'm not too concerned about this contract, even if he busts.

 

It's a lot easier to hide/mitigate an offensive bust than it is a pitcher.

 

Not that I think he'll bust.

[Andrew]

I've heard that the KBO is comparable to like an in between league of AA and AAA so like an AA+. Anyway, if Kepler(using him as an example) hit 53 hrs drove in 146 RBIs and had a slash of .343/.436/.714 and an OPS of 1.150, do you think he'd be called up to play in the bigs? I think the kid will hit and I think he belongs here. Don't expect his video game numbers to translate equally here in the states, but don't expect failure either. I think he ends up being a very solid #5 or #6 guy in our lineup.

[Seth Stohs]

Kepler's 23... Park is 29... Park, at this stage, is what he is. He'll have to make some adjustments, and he should be fine. I'd temper expectations by telling people he struck out 161 times last year (and hit .343 with an OPS over 1.100 and 105 HR over the last two years)... He should be solid.

[Oldgoat_MN]

 

29 seems a bit old to be shelling out the dough. I hope they did more than watch youtubes this time.

 

"A similar strategy could be used as leverage by Park, who could rate an annual salary in excess of $5 million in Japan should talks with the Twins break down, sources said." 

 

Seems they shouldn't offer him more than he would get in Japan, anyway.

 

I am trying, and failing, to imagine a scenario whereby it would be wise for him, or any other foreign ballplayer, to come here if they didn't make more money here than they could in their current league.

 

[Ncgo4]

I understand he's currently at about $500,000 ($ equivalent). He has also expressed, for several years, his desire to prove himself in the good ol' U S of A. Should be a very interesting show in Ft. Myers this spring. Lots of great prospects for just a few available slots and a barn full of disappointing veteran pitchers and a few really good prospects.

 

Next year really could be either a whole lot better or a bunch worse than what might be expected. Coach Molitar, if he's successful, will certainly have earned his salary next year. On the other hand.....

 

Good luck, Coach M. Good luck Twins!

[nytwinsfan]

 

I don't care about the number. I do care that once he is a Twin, he earns his spot on the roster and playing time based on his performance rather than size of his contract.

Just like for Tori Hunter, Ricky Nolasco and Brian Duensing.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Awarded the winning bid Nov. 7, deadline to sign is Dec. 8 and he's just now flying into Chicago to meet with his agent.  Then a physical.

That's not necessarily how it works. It's likely the team and Park's agent have already met or come close to finalizing terms on the deal. Terms are often agreed to pending a physical, which is only a formality before pen meets paper.

 

The Twins could already have this deal virtually locked up or they may have a considerable amount of negotiating left to do with his agent. It's hard to say, either is entirely possible.

 

Given the amount of money we're talking about here - a pittance compared to most MLB deals - reaching a final agreement in 3-4 days is not a stretch. Hell, they could probably hammer out a contract in a few hours. This isn't going to be some crazy option-laden, opt-out, big money contract.

[sploorp]

Power is power.  You can either hit  'em out or you can't.  The guy hit 140 homers over the past three seasons.  He also batted .343 in spite of all the strike outs.

 

Has anybody ever put up those kind of numbers, then been a complete bust when they get to MLB?

 

I think the guy will do just fine and fans will be very happy with the signing.

[sploorp]

Park doesn't need to fly in for the agent to negotiate.  I think the deal has already been hammered out and most of what is happening now are the formalities.  Right now it's sign the contract and take a physical, then have a press conference with Park to formally announce the deal.

[Darius]

Nice to hear.  I was starting to wonder what was going on.  It's been pretty quiet on him since they posted the fee.  

 

I can't see him leaving without a contract.  I would assume that its all but signed (at least very close to an agreement) if he's getting on a plane.

 

Now I'm just waiting for TR to give Plouffe away for something like Odrisamer Despaigne a pile of agri-lime.

[Andrew]

Kepler's 23... Park is 29... Park, at this stage, is what he is. He'll have to make some adjustments, and he should be fine. I'd temper expectations by telling people he struck out 161 times last year (and hit .343 with an OPS over 1.100 and 105 HR over the last two years)... He should be solid.

I wasn't comparing the players directly but using the example of Kepler that if a talented player in AA put up Park's numbers he should be in the MLB.

[darin617]

 

I'm not too concerned about this contract, even if he busts.

It's a lot easier to hide/mitigate an offensive bust than it is a pitcher.

Not that I think he'll bust.

What's $5M more to eat? It's not like they have any huge terrible contracts on the books that go away in 3 years do they? wink wink.. see didn't drop a name..

[h2oface]

 

I am trying, and failing, to imagine a scenario whereby it would be wise for him, or any other foreign ballplayer, to come here if they didn't make more money here than they could in their current league.

 

Korea to Japan would be a move to a different league and country, too. The Japan comparison seems a fair thing to match then, perhaps, but not exceed. Are you considering that? I can't think of Korea the same as Japan any more than I can think of Canada the same as the United States or Norway the same as Sweden. So going to Japan or the US, he would certainly be making more than Korea, the current league and country. 

 

It is not my money, and I like the risk, even though I don't see his numbers in Korea any more significant than someone who murders AAA ball. At 29 though, it is like signing a life time AAA player to a pretty expensive contract. We shall see.

[Monkeypaws]

Truth is there are enough middling pitchers in the big leagues that Park will have some success. 

[Otto von Ballpark]

I understand he's currently at about $500,000 ($ equivalent).

Mentioned in the other thread, but that seems low. I could be wrong, though (and often am!).

[DaveW]

Park is going to sign. The question is will it be closer to 4 years 20 mil or 5 years 30 mil. I would prefer the latter since it would lock him up longer if he can prove to be a 30 HR type guy

[TKGuy]

I don't think the Twins are that worried about shelling out money for Park at this point. What happens with Plouffe will be the most interesting question this off season

[ashbury]

Awarded the winning bid Nov. 7, deadline to sign is Dec. 8 and he's just now flying into Chicago to meet with his agent.  Then a physical.  Then I hope they get him in a batting cage with the machine cranked up to 94-95 mph.  Cutting kinda short, aren't we?

Park is going to sign. The question is will it be closer to 4 years 20 mil or 5 years 30 mil. I would prefer the latter since it would lock him up longer if he can prove to be a 30 HR type guy

I would just add that if there is any time pressure, it is on the player and not the team. The Twins get their posting fee back if negotiations fall through, and can apply the money to some different purpose, while the player loses his chance for an 8-figure contract for another 12 months.

[DaveW]

 

I would just add that if there is any time pressure, it is on the player and not the team. The Twins get their posting fee back if negotiations fall through, and can apply the money to some different purpose, while the player loses his chance for an 8-figure contract for another 12 months.

Yup, and he would just be one year older etc. It's kind of a ****ty position for the player to be in himself to be honest, but them da rules.

[Oldgoat_MN]

This is interesting. I wonder how powerful their players union is.

 

If the posted player were to be awarded 20% or 25% of the posting fee it would certainly make a difference.

[Twodogs]

 

Kepler's 23... Park is 29... Park, at this stage, is what he is. He'll have to make some adjustments, and he should be fine. I'd temper expectations by telling people he struck out 161 times last year (and hit .343 with an OPS over 1.100 and 105 HR over the last two years)... He should be solid.

I think he will be fine, but with 161 strikeouts he appears to at best be a Jay Bruce type, 25 - 30 Hrs and about a .230 BA.  Seems like we have a lot of those .230/.240 type of hitter at this point in time.  I mean Mauer is supposed to be one of those guys who hits .300 but he sure hasn't been as of late.  So I'm not totally sold on him as far as how well he fits in the Twins lineup.  I'm just speculating that if he K'd 161 times over there that should be at least the same or maybe a little more in the bigs??