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Twins Check In On Korean SS Jung-Ho Kang

Parker Hageman

By Parker Hageman
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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Parker Hageman All-Star

Parker Hageman

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According to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman, the Minnesota Twins have looked into the recently posted Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang:

 

https://twitter.com/JonHeymanCBS/status/545263935587639296

 

There are questions about whether Kang has enough skill to remain at shortstop or even hit Major League pitching but in the KBO, the 27-year-old has torn the roof off the joint. Newsday' Marc Craig said that the Mets were looking into Kang and he spoke to former MLB pitcher Dana Eveland who was in Korea in 203. Eveland said this:

 

Kang reportedly could fetch a posting fee in the range of $10 million to $15 million. He's also said to be shooting for a three-year deal worth about $24 million. Kang, 27, had a slash line of .356/.459/.739 with 40 homers and 117 RBIs in 117 games in the notoriously hitter-friendly KBO. "He hit a homer off me,'' said veteran big-league reliever Dana Eveland, who faced Kang while pitching in Korea in 2013. "He's a good bat and could be an average defender. He's a better player than people are giving him credit for.''

 

 

This is probably a cursory check-in. Molitor has said that Danny Santana is his shortstop but there have been people in the front office that are not certain he can stick there long-term but Kang probably raises the same concerns. Likewise, Brian Dozier seems to be a lock for an eventual extension at second. That said, having depth at the middle infield position is not a bad thing.

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nicksaviking All-Star

nicksaviking

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A surplus of middle infielders wouldn't be a bad thing, not many teams are so fortunate.  Considering how the other Asian players are getting paid this offseason, I'm guessing Kang and his team will end up disappointed in the offers.  I have no problem if the Twins have the least disappointing offer.

 

Plus he's a free agent under 30!

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ScottyB First Round Pick

ScottyB

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A middle infielder from Asia for the Twins?  This is destined to end well.

 

Yeah, weren't Nishi's numbers similar?  I know he had just won a batting title.  I think more due dillgence is needed before jumping in.  I think we can run with Santana-Escobar-Dozier and save the money for something else.

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Danchat St Paul Saints

Danchat

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Yeah, weren't Nishi's numbers similar?  I know he had just won a batting title.  I think more due dillgence is needed before jumping in.  I think we can run with Santana-Escobar-Dozier and save the money for something else.

I don't think Nishi was hitting 40 HRs (I just checked-Nishi hit from 11-15 usually). His batting average was up around where Kang's is, though.

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Kirby_waved_at_me First Round Pick

Kirby_waved_at_me

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Kickin' a lot of tires:

 

 Jon Heyman ‏@JonHeymanCBS  · 24m24 minutes ago 

giants, a's, mets, cards, twins among teams to show interest in asdrubal cabrera, who could play 3b or 2b as well as ss

This is more perplexing - Where would the Twins play Asdrubal Cabrera? For the amount of money he'll be getting via free agency, you'd think the Twins were making another move if they add Cabrera.

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nater79a Draft Eligible

nater79a

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This is more perplexing - Where would the Twins play Asdrubal Cabrera? For the amount of money he'll be getting via free agency, you'd think the Twins were making another move if they add Cabrera.

 

I think you hit on it.  Something else is up...

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Parker Hageman All-Star

Parker Hageman

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I honestly cannot figure out what the Twins are doing. Might just be random due diligence. Still, if they are thinking on trading Trevor Plouffe/Eduardo Escobar or thinking on putting Danny Santana in CF eventually this may make a bit of sense. On the other hand, Molitor said Santana is his shortstop. Be a blow if his first edict flamed out right away or if the front office overruled him.

 

I just don't understand it right now.

 

¯\_(ツ)_/¯

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diehardtwinsfan Minnesota Twins

diehardtwinsfan

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I think you hit on it.  Something else is up...

 

An Escobar trade, or they are rolling with Santana in CF again next season maybe.

 

Personally, I like this guy a heck of a lot better than the pitcher they supposedly signed.  Looks like he can hit at least. 

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Kwak First Round Pick

Kwak

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...and for those of you who complained that going from AA to the majors was terrible...  At what level is the Korean League?  Spending a ton of money for a SS?  The Twins are up to their eyebrows with SS prospects--just none that fit the prototype for HOF SS.  PASS on Kang.

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Bark's Lounge Ft Myers Mighty Mussels

Bark's Lounge

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If Eric Thames, a former MLB OFer, who I think most of us could agree is a AAAA player -  hits 37HR's with a 1.111OPS in the KBO, I strongly suggest to the Twins FO to pass on Mr. Kang.

 

If the Twins want to waste money, send it to me and I will waste it in such a fantastic and obscene way that it would make people cringe and probably a bit upset. The difference is - nobody on this site will see me wasting the Twins money. If they waste it on Kang, the disaster will be on display for all Twins fans to witness.

 

Waste the money on Bark... I'll fall on this grenade. Come to think of it, a Nobel Peace Prize would look good on my mantle.

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Otto von Ballpark All-Star

Otto von Ballpark

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If Eric Thames, a former MLB OFer, who I think most of us could agree is a AAAA player -  hits 37HR's with a 1.111OPS in the KBO, I strongly suggest to the Twins FO to pass on Mr. Kang.

In fairness to Mr. Kang, if Eric Thames could play middle infield (or even an average corner outfield), he'd almost certainly still be in MLB.

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nicksaviking All-Star

nicksaviking

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In fairness to Mr. Kang, if Eric Thames could play middle infield (or even an average corner outfield), he'd almost certainly still be in MLB.

 

Yeah, Eric Thames was a pretty good minor league player and didn't get much of a shot at the MLB.  He only played sparingly in two MLB seasons but his rookie year he had a 105 OPS.  If he had been a rookie SS people would probably still be talking about his potential.

 

And as with every other Asian non-pitcher, I don't believe he will be getting offers anything near the $30-40 million.  Cubans are the new Asians, these guys have not been happy with the winning posts as of late.

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nicksaviking All-Star

nicksaviking

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Pittsburgh won the bidding at $5.02 million.  It's reported that Kang is looking for a deal worth $5-6 million annually.  I suspected the previous salary expectations were way off.

 

http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/full/2014/12/20/56/1200000000AEN20141220001200315F.html?input=www.twitter.com

 

So nothing unpalatable, even if he doesn't pan out.

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