With just about a week left in the 30-day signing window, the Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Jung-ho Kang on Monday. Also, after about a month of controversy, starter Dan Haren will report to spring training with the Miami Marlins.
According to ESPN's Jim Bowden, the Pirates and Kang have agreed to terms on a four-year contract worth approximately $16 million. The deal also has an option for a fifth season. Pittsburgh spent a little over $5 million for Kang's posting fee, which brings the grand total to about $21 million. Kang played shortstop in South Korea, but MLB scouts said he translates to more of a second or third baseman and as of right now the Pirates' infield is set for 2015, so it's unknown how Kang will be used.
The 27-year-old slashed .356/.459/.739 with 40 home runs and 117 RBIs in 117 games with the Nexen Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization. It was a career year for Kang, but it's unclear if his power in the KBO will be the same in the MLB. Either way, it's clear the Pirates have them in their plans for the foreseeable future, likely because second baseman Neil Walker is arbitration-eligible and due a big raise up from his $5.75 million salary in 2014. Pittsburgh may look to move Walker since they can get good value in return for him while they have shortstop Jordy Mercer and third baseman Josh Harrison under club control until at least 2017.
In Miami, the Marlins received good news on Monday after about a month of speculation that starting pitcher Dan Haren was not going to join the team. According to FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal, the right-hander told Miami he plans to report to spring training after notifying management earlier this month that he did not intend on joining them for next season. Haren was traded to the Marlins during the MLB Winter Meetings after he told his former team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, that he would retire if they traded him to a club not on the West Coast.
As a result, the Dodgers sent the Marlins his $10 million salary for 2015 in case he opted to retire. The San Francisco Giants inquired about Haren earlier this offseason, but then they re-signed Jake Peavy for two years. The other West Coast teams - Angels, Padres and Athletics - hadn't expressed any willingness to make a deal for him. The Colorado Rockies were said to have had "mild" interest in him, but nothing developed since that was made known.
The Marlins will now have their wish granted when an experienced veteran joins their starting rotation. Miami has youngsters Jose Fernandez, Henderson Alvarez, Jarred Cosart and Tom Koehler, who they expect to make some sort of contribution in 2015. Haren and Mat Latos should provide solid veteran leadership for such a young cast.
