TODAY: Hwang turned down an offer from the KBO’s Lotte Giants, Jee-ho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports (hat tip to MyKBO.net’s Dan Kurtz). Yoon-won Lee, the Giants’ general manager, said his club extended “a sizeable offer” to Hwang, but the infielder seems intent on testing himself in North America, even if it means earning less money. To this end, Hwang is reportedly open to signing a split contract rather than a straight big league deal.
TUESDAY: The market continues to develop for Korean third baseman Jae-gyun Hwang, according to Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer-Press (links to Twitter). He’s most interested at this point in securing an opportunity that comes with a 40-man roster spot, per the report.
Hwang, a 29-year-old free agent, was said recently to have drawn some attention from the Giants. The Brewers and Tigers are also among the team’s with some level of interest, according to Berardino. While the Twins have “checked in” on him, it seems there’s no present fit.
It could be, of course, that Hwang may still need to wait for other moves to shake out before he’s presented with a clear shot at the majors. A return to Korea can’t be ruled out, of course; indeed, a KBO club has made a four-year offer. While that will surely hold appeal, it seems Hwang is still hoping for a chance to play at the game’s highest level.
For San Francisco, the possibility of adding another corner outfielder or third baseman may make the team hesitant to commit. The Brewers already plugged in Travis Shaw at the hot corner, though presumably the right-handed-hitting Hwang could provide a complement (with both perhaps also factoring in at first base). As for the A.L. Central rivals in Detroit and Minnesota, third base appears to be set in both cases. But perhaps there’s some window for Hwang if he’s deemed capable of spending some time at second and one of those teams deal their incumbent options. Alternatively, perhaps, he could factor in the corner outfield.
It has been a tough market for third basemen, with Luis Valbuena and Trevor Plouffe among the players still looking for a job. There’s also a variety of veteran utility types with experience on the left side of the infield — including Aaron Hill, Kelly Johnson, and Stephen Drew — who have yet to sign.
Beyond the enticement of the unknown, Hwang has some possible advantages over some of those options. He won’t turn 30 until July and is coming off of a career year in the KBO. Finally combining both power and contact in a single season, Hwang popped 27 long balls with just 64 strikeouts over 522 plate appearances. He also swiped 24 bags, though he was cut down on ten other attempts.
Any educated projection about how his powers will translate? My understanding of Korean pro ball is that it is hitter friendly. The Giants play at Willie Mays park, or Where Homers Go To Die.
They play on fields that have smaller outfield dimensions than MLB but they do also play with smaller baseballs than MLB, I don’t know how much smaller but I would imagine it’s easier to hit a bigger ball
MLB pitchers are a big step above competition in Korea though so I think it’s hard to project. Some guys come over and play really well(power numbers do go down though) and some can’t hang. I think when it comes to Korean ball players, the big stars seem to do well in MLB, while the average player spends most of his time in the minors
Smaller baseballs travel further when hit. Japan leagues also use smaller baseballs
It’s not so much for the ball sizes, but for the coefficient of restitution, COR. When ball is hit, KBO balls are about 7% higher COR than MLB’s. Means KBO balls can travel as much as 20′ longer on 93 mph fast ball.
I can’t speak to the science behind but wouldn’t a smaller ball hit the meat of the bat more often?
I feel like a bigger ball would have a greater chance of hitting the rounded part of the bat and influence pop ups and groundouts at a higher rate?
The Giants play at AT
AT
Is he a Chinese?
No, he’s a 3B. He’s about as Chinese as you are smart…
This is a Korean name; the family name is Hwang. Hwang Jae-gyun is a Korean native who was born in Seoul on July 28, 1987.
Why would the Twins have one shred of interest in another player from the Korean League? Have they learned anything from their signing of Byung Ho Park? Guy ended up being sent down to Triple-A. They should hold off on their overseas signings for a while.
They are mostly affordable gambles. I’m guessing he will also cost about half of what Park costed, also.
You’re jumping straight to Park’s final slash line from last season, but completely ignoring that he before he was injured he was off to a great start. All reports said that he tried to play through nagging hand injuries before being sent down and eventually being done for the season. He still has a lot of promise, especially for his low salary.
Jae-gyun Hwang is also competing in the 3B market with two-time slugging All-Star Todd Frazier who is only 17 months older and eminently available in a trade as the White Sox continue to rebuild.
Frazier is going to cost more $ and some sort of prospect package. Not really the same market.
Sure it is, especially for a contending team like the Giants who would need more certainty at the position and in their lineup in 2017. Frazier won’t be prohibitively expensive as an arb-eligible ($13.5MM projection by this site) before hitting free agency next offseason. He also won’t cost nearly as much in terms of prospects as the other White Sox players who were already dealt or are still available like Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, Jose Quintana or Jose Abreu because of his age and short contract status.
You get what you pay for. Imo, Frazier is still the top dog in this offseason’s 3B market, FA or otherwise.
Top dog and you get what you pay for, sure. But check the Giants’ payroll- right up against the tax line, I think. Frazier’s market is indeed different from this guy’s.
Any salary the Giants might add to improve their 3B/LF situation could also cross that threshold. Those concerns also haven’t stopped the rival Dodgers this offseason who have MLB’s highest payroll and face far harsher penalties. Despite this, the Dodgers are still looking to add payroll with the Brian Dozier trade talks and may even consider Frazier with those discussions currently at an impasse. It’s not out of the realm of possibility they could move Justin Turner back to 2B short term in 2017 and acquire Frazier to play the hot corner. Frazier could also occasionally spell 34-year old left-handed hitter Adrian Gonzalez at 1B. The Dodgers have problems versus left-handed pitching. Frazier might help their lineup with his right-handed power bat.
Besides, the Giants and Dodgers wouldn’t be the only “fits” among potential contenders in 2017. Frazier has already been linked to clubs like the Mets and Cardinals at 3B, along with the Rockies as a 1B option. He might also be an option for an A.L. contender as a versatile bat that could play 3B, 1B or DH. Frazier would also offer any contender a great clubhouse presence along with more athleticism that is typically found among 3B/1B/DH candidates.
Btw-I wouldn’t be shocked if the White Sox were amenable to taking Yasiel Puig off of the Dodgers hands. He could be moved as part of a package for a number of White Sox veterans who might hold some appeal to the Dodgers. That list could include Frazier, RP David Robertson, switch-hitting LF Melky Cabrera, 2B Brett Lawrie and perhaps even Jose Quintana.
Even with the White Sox in rebuild mode, a player like Puig could make sense on the South Side. He is still young enough at 26 and has 3 more years of affordable team control. Rick Renteria, who worked wonders for struggling young talents like Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo back in 2014 as Cubs manager, might do the same with Puig. The mercurial OF would also have the support of former Cuban teammate and friend Jose Abreu with the White Sox.
Even if Puig didn’t become a foundation piece for the White Sox, they might be capable of raising his value to where he could be another great trade chip for the club in the next year or two. He would also provide some interest on the South Side that figures to be diminished in the near term as the team continues with the early stages of its rebuild.
Why would the dodgers fit? I mean they have a hole in the IF but that would require shifting guys out of position since turner was re signed. The giants make sense because nunez is a utility guy by trade and it strengthens everything – a lower cost option from international signings makes sense because you could effectively offload payroll like that easy if you need to for luxury purposes vs something like a frazier signing.
Frasier will cost prospects. Hwang will only cost money, and much less than Frasier’s salary.
Frazier hit 40 bombs in MLB last year. Hwang is a lottery ticket.
Might be worth a 40 man spot for a team concerned about their current third base options and wanting him to play at AAA to start. If he doesn’t work out you waiver him, not really a big gamble.
Interesting that the Tigers have some interest. He could be a solid bench spot and back up a couple of positions
I think baffling is the better word. Cabrera, Vmart and Castellanos are not going to lose AB’s for his benefit. It’s unknown if he can play anywhere else. He’d have to start at AAA, and hope for an injury, or a trade. The Tigers could fit him on the 40, though.
As a Korean fan, I must say. Hwang doesn’t have the outraegous power or BA numbers for Kang or Park, but is strikeout rate would be superior even after inflation in the US. He’s also versatile and has shown a knack for adjusting. Given full time ABs I’d say a .265/.330/.420 would be about right maybe a bit optimistical.
If he’s willing to start at AAA the Os will need a 3Rd baseman after Machado moves over to short when JJ contract ends after 2017. They don’t have an option now in the minors. Also JJ has back issues every season which requires MM to slide over leaving bad options there
Think he will sign with the Giants he is wearing.
I’m amazed that every time a RH hitting 3B is available, it’s suggested the Brewers would have interest. The Brewers are well stocked at 3B with Shaw, and Hernan Perez. They certainly don’t need a guy to platoon at 3B and also fill in at 1B as long as Perez, who just won the VWL batting title, is around. Counsell has said repeatedly that he’s going to get Perez on the field nearly every day somewhere. His primary position is 3B.
Now that the Redsox have traded away Shaw and Moncada the only back up to Pablo is Holt. They don’t have anyone MLB ready to step in when Pablo fails. He could start in Pawtucket and see how he progresses. Devers won’t be ready for another year or two. It definitely couldn’t hurt to have someone to step in.
Totally agree
Trevor Plouffe signed with the Athletics- so unless he was cut recently or the deal hasn’t finalized he’s got a job.