Headlines

  • Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez
  • Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff
  • Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
  • Bobby Jenks Passes Away
  • Braves Release Alex Verdugo
  • Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline
  • Previous
  • Next
Register
Login
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

MLB Trade Rumors

Remove Ads
  • Home
  • Teams
    • AL East
      • Baltimore Orioles
      • Boston Red Sox
      • New York Yankees
      • Tampa Bay Rays
      • Toronto Blue Jays
    • AL Central
      • Chicago White Sox
      • Cleveland Guardians
      • Detroit Tigers
      • Kansas City Royals
      • Minnesota Twins
    • AL West
      • Houston Astros
      • Los Angeles Angels
      • Oakland Athletics
      • Seattle Mariners
      • Texas Rangers
    • NL East
      • Atlanta Braves
      • Miami Marlins
      • New York Mets
      • Philadelphia Phillies
      • Washington Nationals
    • NL Central
      • Chicago Cubs
      • Cincinnati Reds
      • Milwaukee Brewers
      • Pittsburgh Pirates
      • St. Louis Cardinals
    • NL West
      • Arizona Diamondbacks
      • Colorado Rockies
      • Los Angeles Dodgers
      • San Diego Padres
      • San Francisco Giants
  • About
    • MLB Trade Rumors
    • Tim Dierkes
    • Writing team
    • Advertise
    • Archives
  • Contact
  • Tools
    • 2025 Trade Deadline Outlook Series
    • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
    • Contract Tracker
    • Transaction Tracker
    • Agency Database
  • NBA/NFL/NHL
    • Hoops Rumors
    • Pro Football Rumors
    • Pro Hockey Rumors
  • App
  • Chats
Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Giants Interested In Jae-Gyun Hwang

By Jeff Todd | January 3, 2017 at 10:37am CDT

The Giants are “showing continued interest” in infielder Jae-gyun Hwang, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network (via Twitter). Hwang, 29, is a free agent who would not require any posting arrangement to acquire.

The Korean star has spent much of his career with a different Giants organization — the KBO’s Lotte Giants. He held a showcase in the fall in hopes of landing an opportunity with a major league club.

Hwang is likely to factor as a third baseman, meaning that he’ll be competing with open-market options such as Luis Valbuena and Trevor Plouffe. Also potentially a factor is Todd Frazier of the White Sox, who’s available via trade. While Justin Turner’s signing may have been expected to clear the way for some more action at the hot corner, the market has largely been quiet since.

Though Hwang drew no bids when he was posted last winter, he ended up turning in rather an intriguing 2016 season. He not only continued to exhibit a power boost, hitting 27 home runs for the second consecutive season, but this time did so while nearly halving his strikeout totals (from 122 to 64) and slightly increasing his walk rate. While the overall .335/.394/.570 output came in the hitter-friendly KBO, and can’t be taken at face value, Hwang’s overall profile is much more promising now than it was this time last year.

For San Francisco, Hwang could represent an interesting lottery ticket who could play a reserve role or perhaps turn into something more. The club is said to be eyeing improvements at third base and the corner outfield, while remaining hesitant to expend too many resources to do so. While Hwang’s market price will be supported by demand from his native Korea — even if there’s a relative dearth of needy MLB organizations — he figures to be available at a relatively palatable rate by major league standards.

Share 0 Retweet 21 Send via email0

San Francisco Giants Jae-gyun Hwang

Nationals Willing To Discuss New Deal With Dusty Baker
Main
Marlins Announce Non-Roster Invitations
View Comments (54)
Post a Comment

54 Comments

  1. rayanselmo

    9 years ago

    Mm, worth a shot.

    Reply
  2. krillin

    9 years ago

    I hope someone takes a shot on him. It is always fun to see how players transition. Shoot, if he does not cost much, the Braves could afford to take a shot on a third baseman.

    Reply
  3. howdy

    9 years ago

    Giants are fine with Eduardo Nunez and Conner Gillaspie. No need for Hwang.

    Reply
    • krillin

      9 years ago

      Yeah, I would be perfectly fine with that combo too, honestly.

      Reply
    • thelyonhearted

      9 years ago

      Agreed, unless he can play LF, Giants don’t need him.

      Reply
      • Bones 3

        9 years ago

        Might try him, then if all good trade Nunez or Connor at midseason.

        Reply
      • aceofrainbows

        9 years ago

        Or it could work if Nunez played LF and he plays 3b.

        Reply
    • jmgara

      9 years ago

      Fine with Nuñez and Gillespie? Really? Look at their career stats and you find that their 2016 numbers were anomalies on the high end. Doubtful they could both match them. Also Nuñez bats higher careerwise against RHP than LHP. So what’s the need for Gillespie anyway?

      Reply
      • liamsfg

        9 years ago

        Nunez runs. The guy steals bases and is the only real threat on the bases for the Giants so he needs to stay in the lineup. I like Gillespie as a clutch guy, he’s a true ballplayer but not a guy to rely on heavily.

        Reply
        • GoCardsGo

          9 years ago

          Denard Span and Angel Pagan can run and sometimes Pence will do some base stealing

          Reply
        • gmenfan

          9 years ago

          Angel Pagan is a free agent. Hunter Pence has 5 stolen bases over the last two seasons.

          Reply
    • woodstock005

      9 years ago

      I agree don’t get any more of those mom’s and Pop’s players
      Unless it is better
      I don’t mind Todd Fraser.
      Hehe

      Reply
  4. bleacherbum

    9 years ago

    What an awesome name lol. Brings back memories of the 02′ Giants with Tsuyoshi Shinjo. So fun to say & miss hearing Jon Miller say it during broadcasts along with him sounding out every Hispanic players name as well, so epic.

    Reply
    • Dock_Elvis

      9 years ago

      Front of the jersey says Giant…back says Hwang…i hate that my 13 year old even snuck out for a second.

      Reply
  5. shoe57

    9 years ago

    I don’t understand why MLB has to go to different countries to employ ball players. If Latin, Korean, Japanese players want to play here, they should move here, like the Cubans. Keep the money inside the US. Expand baseball programs for boys and girls here, and promote baseball leagues at all levels.

    Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      Are you seriously advocating limiting the major leagues to only American-born players? Are you posting this comment from 1946?

      Reply
      • woodstock005

        9 years ago

        I think he is

        Reply
    • lesterdnightfly

      9 years ago

      Oh my…..

      Reply
    • swartnp7

      9 years ago

      Wow. Nicely done.

      Reply
    • danpartridge

      9 years ago

      HOT TAKE!!!

      Can you explain to me how they’re gonna play ball here without moving here?

      Reply
      • xtraflamy

        9 years ago

        ding ding ding!

        Reply
        • xtraflamy

          9 years ago

          or…maybe better to explain how they are going to move here without playing ball? Cubans come here as refugees, or through corporate sponsorship (like the posting system, just less formalized and negotiated through buscones instead). smh

          Reply
    • greiunfioewfm

      9 years ago

      Bud Norris, is that you?

      1
      Reply
    • davidcoonce74

      9 years ago

      This post brought to you by the year 1946.

      Reply
    • Jeff Todd

      9 years ago

      This is so thoroughly misinformed and misguided that it’s hard to know where to begin. A few salient points, though:

      1) there is a rich history of players from other nations playing here; there’s no need, strictly speaking, to find baseball players from other countries, but it is undeniable that the major league game would be less competitive (and less popular here and abroad, and less lucrative for all involved) were it limited to US/CAN/PR talent
      2) obviously, players have to move here, at least during the season, to play here … generally, though, an immigrant drawn by job prospects has to have employment to be sponsored to work in the US
      3) I don’t understand your distinction between Cubans and “Latins,” or your distinction between the route taken by typical Cuban players and the groups from the other parts of the world
      4) “keep the money inside the U.S.” … I mean … I don’t even know what to say to this; one retort, I suppose, is that many American and Canadian ballplayers play in Latin American winter ball leagues, the Mexican League, and Asia’s thriving professional leagues, and earn money there
      5) expanded ballplaying programs for American youth have no connection to MLB international signings, except perhaps that enriching the overall sport by having the world’s best players in MLB broadens its appeal and improves the product most visible to children

      Reply
      • stl_cards16 2

        9 years ago

        How you can answer that with this level-headed response I’ll never understand. You’re certainly one of a kind, Jeff (in a good way)

        Reply
      • Dock_Elvis

        9 years ago

        It’s one thing to advocate for the growth of baseball as a sport domestically in the face of other sports draining the young talent pool away…such as soccer…or the economics..such as inner city baseball development. It’s an entirely different issue, and ignorant statement made above. Move here? These players are in the top end tax bracket as it is. Players in California are paying 13% plus I believe….and there might be a “star” tax.

        All of this doesn’t even touch on the great history and legacy that foreign born players have brought to the game. Where would Pirates history be without Roberto Clemente?

        The kind part of me would like to believe that this was a misstatement….but no one shocks me anymore.

        The only issue that COULD potentially be made has nothing to do with race/nationality…but that there should be an international draft so that domestic economic opportunity isnt suppressed. There again….we take advantage of players in the dominican at age 16. I think fairness of opportunity should be the only goal…and that is blind.

        Reply
      • Rounding3rd

        9 years ago

        Jeff, you are a saint. (In the Roger Moore sense)…. very kind response to such ignorance.

        Reply
    • Deke

      9 years ago

      It’s gotta be a joke post no??

      Reply
      • jmgara

        9 years ago

        Unfortunately no. It’s another M

        Reply
      • aceofrainbows

        9 years ago

        Wish it was…

        Reply
    • Dookie Howser, MD

      9 years ago

      I’ll bet you 10 American dollars that I can guess your stance on bat flipping.

      Reply
      • woodstock005

        9 years ago

        Just like Pablo panda
        Made so much money
        Eat so much good food
        Gain so much weigh

        Reply
    • crazymountain

      9 years ago

      Okay Shoe…..you start the boycott of MLB and we’ll all be right behind you…we can chain across the Mexican border. We’ll meet you down there

      Reply
    • iamhector24

      9 years ago

      You’re a tool.

      Reply
    • AidanVega123

      9 years ago

      2017 just started and we’ve already got a “Most Ignorant Comment of the Year” front-runner.

      Reply
      • stl_cards16 2

        9 years ago

        I kind of want to keep a spreadsheet and post them all at the end of the year for a vote. Where’s all the other regulars? How can we make this happen?

        Reply
    • Cardinals17

      9 years ago

      57….you have got to be a little leaguers mother that knows little about MLB. Sorry, but that’s what your script sounds like.

      Reply
    • gmenfan

      9 years ago

      Ummm, no.

      Reply
    • dutch91701

      9 years ago

      Yes, because paying foreign-born players and investing in domestic little league programs are mutually exclusive. The only thing even salvageable about this comment is that I have read a major function of CBT money is development of the game, primarily in other countries. If shoe is trying to say it would be better to invest that domestically, I could see that, but alas, shoe did not say that and chose ignorance instead.

      Reply
    • Show all 25 replies
  6. adshadbolt

    9 years ago

    The Giants should just sign Saunders he’s not going to command more than 7.5 mil with where the market is and I don’t think the Giants are that strapped for cash because he’s still and upgrade over anything they have rn and they don’t have the prospects to get Martinez. If they are truly that strapped for cash sign Someone like Desmond Jennings, Austin Jackson, peter bourjos, Cody Ashe they need to get someone else in the outfield I just don’t see it with mac and Parker out there. They also should Sign a few vets on high incentive deals like storen, smith, Howell, medlen, gee I know they want to go young in the pen but the pen needs more help medley and gee could also help in the rotation if needed.

    Reply
    • giantsfan28

      9 years ago

      Agreed

      Reply
    • g55s

      9 years ago

      IMO none of those players are “difference makers”… in that case, just go with Mac or Jarrett.

      Reply
      • jmgara

        9 years ago

        If I had a choice between upgrading the 3B platoon or the LF one, I’d pick 3B. At least the younger LFs have potential to improve. The 3Bs overachieved based on career numbers and Nuñez can be a Super Sub.

        Reply
    • aceofrainbows

      8 years ago

      I think they should teach Nunez to play left field and sign a 3b. Unlikely, but it wouldn’t be half bad.

      Reply
  7. seanwh01

    9 years ago

    A .270 hitter with 15 home runs at best. Giants are better off with Nunez.

    Reply
    • bigpapijuicer

      9 years ago

      How can you tell the Giants would be better off with Nunez by saying he’s a .270 hitter?

      What if he slashes .270/.400/.450 with 15 homers and plays solid defense at 3rd? Are they still better off with Nunez?

      Reply
    • jmgara

      9 years ago

      Before this year, Nuñez had never hit more than five homers in a season. You really think he’s going to hit 18 (or more) again next year? And what is Nuñez’ lifetime batting average? .271

      Reply
  8. Deke

    9 years ago

    SF is on record (Evans) saying they “would like to find another 20 home runs a year”. They are not going to do this with the current roster unless Williamson/Parker have a breakout year. Which is possible, but hard considering they play half their games at AT&T. PLus they are likely to be platoon players and never feel comfortable because I think if you want to see them blossom give someone a chance to feel like they belong and play every day. At 3B Nunez/Gillaspie isn’t going to give SF much power so it seems to me they are trying to figure out what incremental moves they can make to add another 20 somewhere.

    Personally, I don’t agree with this approach. SF is a big ballpark and therefore power to me becomes fly ball outs more than not, they need players who can hit gap to gap for extra base hits and able to take those extra bases when available. Unless they are going to get a guy with power and speed, I’m not all that excited by it.

    Reply
    • Priggs89

      9 years ago

      The Toddfather can get ya double that.

      Reply
      • aceofrainbows

        8 years ago

        Trade gor him and move Nunez to the OF

        Reply
    • gmenfan

      9 years ago

      Given a full season of at bats, Williamson could definitely contribute 20 homers. In fact, his 2016 pace would definitely get him to the 20 mark. Problem is, he’s going to give you .220/.300 production as well.

      Reply
  9. Gogerty

    9 years ago

    I just cannot believe no one made the Major League 2 comment:

    “I got you someone from the Giants….. not those Giants.”

    Excuse the paraphrasing.

    1
    Reply
  10. Aaron Sapoznik

    9 years ago

    Perhaps the White Sox can join in the bidding for Jae-gyun Hwang. It’s not like they have any top MLB ready 3B options in their minor league system with the possible exception of Yoan Moncada who will be tried at 2B in his debut at AAA Charlotte. Hwang could potentially be a core piece for the White Sox at the hot corner and they might also help drive his price up to other suitors who may still have an interest in Frazier. Win-win?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Please login to leave a reply.

Log in Register

  • Top Stories
  • Recent

Nationals Fire PBO Mike Rizzo, Manager Dave Martinez

Brewers Activate Brandon Woodruff

Clarke Schmidt Expected To Undergo Tommy John Surgery

Bobby Jenks Passes Away

Braves Release Alex Verdugo

Top 40 Trade Candidates For The 2025 Deadline

Rays Reinstate Ha-Seong Kim

Yankees Have Shown Interest In Ryan McMahon

Royals Interested In Bryan Reynolds

Rangers Option Josh Jung

Kevin Pillar Announces Retirement

Braves Place Spencer Schwellenbach On IL With Elbow Fracture

Giants Exercise 2026 Option On Manager Bob Melvin

Yordan Alvarez Shut Down Due To Setback With Hand Injury

Astros Place Jeremy Peña On Injured List With Fractured Rib

Tucker Barnhart To Retire

Tyler Mahle To Be Sidelined Beyond Trade Deadline

Reds Release Jeimer Candelario

Dave Parker Passes Away

Griffin Canning Diagnosed With Ruptured Achilles

White Sox Sign Kyle Tyler To Minor League Deal

Nationals Sign Luis Garcia

Poll: The Yankees’ Biggest Need At The Deadline

Yankees Place Mark Leiter Jr. On IL With Fibular Head Stress Fracture

Rhys Hoskins Expects To Be Out Roughly Six Weeks

Yankees Moving Jazz Chisholm Jr. Back To Second Base

White Sox Reinstate Luis Robert Jr.

Gary Sánchez Likely To Miss 8-10 Weeks

Mets Designate Zach Pop For Assignment

Red Sox Select Isaiah Campbell

MLBTR Newsletter - Hot stove highlights in your inbox, five days a week

Latest Rumors & News

Latest Rumors & News

  • Sandy Alcantara Rumors
  • Luis Robert Rumors
  • Alex Bregman Rumors

 

Trade Rumors App for iOS and Android App Store Google Play

MLBTR Features

MLBTR Features

  • Remove Ads, Support Our Writers
  • Front Office Originals
  • Front Office Fantasy Baseball
  • MLBTR Podcast
  • Trade Deadline Outlook Series
  • 2025-26 MLB Free Agent List
  • Contract Tracker
  • Transaction Tracker
  • Extension Tracker
  • Agency Database
  • MLBTR On Twitter
  • MLBTR On Facebook
  • Team Facebook Pages
  • How To Set Up Notifications For Breaking News
  • Hoops Rumors
  • Pro Football Rumors
  • Pro Hockey Rumors

Rumors By Team

  • Angels Rumors
  • Astros Rumors
  • Athletics Rumors
  • Blue Jays Rumors
  • Braves Rumors
  • Brewers Rumors
  • Cardinals Rumors
  • Cubs Rumors
  • Diamondbacks Rumors
  • Dodgers Rumors
  • Giants Rumors
  • Guardians Rumors
  • Mariners Rumors
  • Marlins Rumors
  • Mets Rumors
  • Nationals Rumors
  • Orioles Rumors
  • Padres Rumors
  • Phillies Rumors
  • Pirates Rumors
  • Rangers Rumors
  • Rays Rumors
  • Red Sox Rumors
  • Reds Rumors
  • Rockies Rumors
  • Royals Rumors
  • Tigers Rumors
  • Twins Rumors
  • White Sox Rumors
  • Yankees Rumors

Navigation

  • Sitemap
  • Archives
  • RSS/Twitter Feeds By Team

MLBTR INFO

  • Advertise
  • About
  • Commenting Policy
  • Privacy Policy

Connect

  • Contact Us
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • RSS Feed

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top

Register

Desktop Version | Switch To Mobile Version