Cardinals closer Seung-hwan Oh finished his 30th game of the year Friday, meaning his club option for 2017 has vested, reports Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter). Oh will make $2.75MM, a slight raise over his current salary of $2.5MM, next season.
Oh, 34, emigrated from the Japan Central League over the winter and has ended up as one of the biggest steals of the offseason this year. After dominating in both his homeland, Korea, and Japan, Oh has emerged as an elite-level bullpen option for playoff-contending St. Louis. The right-hander ranks fourth among relievers in innings (72 1/3), 12th in strikeouts per nine frames (12.07) and 13th in ERA (1.87). Oh has also done well limiting walks (2.24 per nine), which has contributed to his eighth-place ranking in K-BB percentage (27.9).
The brilliance of Oh has been especially timely for a Cardinals team whose previous closer, Trevor Rosenthal, has endured the worst season of his young career. Rosenthal was among the majors’ top late-game aces from 2012-15, but inflated walk and home run rates have led to a 5.13 ERA over 33 1/3 innings this year. Oh took over the ninth inning from Rosenthal at the outset of July and has since converted 17 of 19 save opportunities. Rosenthal, meanwhile, has been on the disabled list since late July with rotator cuff inflammation, but he could return as early as Monday, according to Rick Hummel of the Post-Dispatch.
I’d say he’s been one of the most underrated signings thus far
Without question. I was hoping the Yanks would sign him; Cards did very well in signing him.
I shudder to think where the Cardinals would be without him. He’s been lights out from the pen.
Thank you Stone Buddha! You have been fun to watch and our bullpen would have been lost without you this year. Just based on his variety of pitches thrown and his solid velocity and track record, it’s surprising that no one else offered him more. What a great deal for next year!
Cardinal’s player sucks…they have random back-up out of nowhere who fits exactly what they need………..no one is surprised.
As a cubs’ fan I hate this team and their black vodoo magic, but damn. They have some incredible combination of scouting/talent development/coaching/luck/vodoo-black-magic. What up Jedd Jerko (yes, aware of sp).
I’d love to see them acquire Ackley, Alex Jackson, and Reese McGuire.
Way to make Cubs fans look like d***s. It has nothing to do with voodoo magic. It has had to do with out-developing most of the division most seasons since 1970, at least.
Oh has been spectacular. I hope his arm doesn’t become unhinged due to overuse.
When your team hasn’t won in awhile, it’s easier to hate on those that do?
Cubs have had a terrific year and if they get to the WS I will be pulling for them. Cardinal fans always respect a great product. It’s just been great to see that product wear the birds on the bat for all these years.
With that said, the cubbies will go down this year as having one of their greatest regular seasons ever. It doesn’t mean squat if they can’t win the last 11.
2004 Cardinals?
Jeez just don’t get too cocky, cuz having the best record during the season doesn’t mean you’ll win the World Series
luck/vodoo-black-magic = Sarcasm, lighten up tim815 !
I love watching Oh pitch, he has a great array of pitches, and he also has a great rapport with Yadier. When you think he’s being paid $2..75 million for next year it’s a great steal. Go the Oh man.