Pirates third baseman Jung Ho Kang will almost surely miss all of the 2017 MLB campaign after failing to secure a visa following a DUI conviction, his third, last offseason. But the Pirates are hopeful that they can get Kang on the field this winter. Earlier this week, GrandesenlosDeportes in the Dominican Republic tweeted that Kang would be joining Aguilas Cibaenas in the Dominican Winter League. Pirates GM Neal Huntington has confirmed the Bucs’ plans, as Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review notes. “We know we have a club that will play him, provided we can get him into the (Dominican Republic),” Huntington says. “In our minds, this is the best level of competition we could get him in the offseason.” The Pirates still have Kang under contract for 2018, with a club option for 2019. He’s currently on the restricted list, which means he hasn’t collected any salary for the year. The Pirates recently acquired Sean Rodriguez from Atlanta as an insurance policy for next season, in case Kang is unable to return. Here’s more from the NL Central.
- The Cardinals feel they suddenly have a “traffic jam” of outfield talent, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes. Tommy Pham has had a terrific season in the Majors, with Harrison Bader playing well in Triple-A Memphis and Oscar Mercado having a mini-breakout (driven in part by his impressive defense) at Double-A Springfield. The team also has Dexter Fowler, Randal Grichuk and Stephen Piscotty in the big leagues, plus a number of other interesting prospects (including Tyler O’Neill, Jose Adolis Garcia, Magneuris Sierra and Randy Arozarena) in the high minors. That means various Cardinals outfielders could become trade bait this winter — not only because the team has assets to spend, but because there might simply not be enough opportunities for all of them, particularly since all of the outfielders mentioned above except Fowler and Pham are young. “We’re not going to have enough room at the inn,” says Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak. “That is something we, as an organization, are going to have to take a very hard look at this offseason and decide what makes the most sense.”
- Ryan Braun remains as the last key veteran from the Brewers’ 2014 club who’s still with the team as it makes another run at contention in 2017, and he’s happy to still be in Milwaukee, he tells MLB.com’s Tracy Ringolsby. Rumors about being traded to the Dodgers last winter makes Braun feel especially grateful, he says. “Last year, obviously, I was close to getting traded,” says Braun. “When it didn’t happen, obviously, it makes me that much more appreciative of however much time I do end up spending here.” Braun adds that it isn’t lost on him that after him, the position player who has been with the Brewers the longest is Domingo Santana, who first suited up with Milwaukee a little over two years ago this week.
Suddenly have a lot has of outfielders? Hey welcome to the party. I guess late is better than not at all.
As a Mets fan, I can tell you that having a glut of outfielders can be fleeting. We did a month ago. Not now and probably not to start next season.
No Crap! Where have they been for the last year? This is exactly why everyone thinks they are a bunch of idiots. Including me now.
It’s almost September and you’re writing Kang may not play this year? Anyone could have written that. Why don’t you write that he should never play in the MLB again.
It’s mostly about his offseason plans to possibly play some baseball.
Im sure Braun is grateful to be in Milwaukee, instead of on one of the most dominating teams the MLB has seen.
Ah cool, a story about a drunk and a story about a cheating liar. Awesome.
How’d he cheat? I didn’t hear anything about him using PEDs.
That part refers to Braun I’m sure
You really couldn’t put that part together?
LOL yup
I lost all respect for Braun in 2011. Threw the test courier under the bus, and the guy got fired. Braun lied AND was dirty. To this day I do not understand why he wasn’t stripped of his MVP title. Brewers fans can justify his actions all they want, but Braun is no better than ARod as a human being. You cheat, you lie, and life goes on. Wasn’t the case with Pete Rose, so why did Braun get a pass?
Not just that. The people he threw under the bus got death threats. Really uncool and shows what terrible character he has.
I think what you need to realize is people make mistakes, and I get why you lost respect for Braun. I’ve always been his biggest fan and even I was hurt for a few years. But, that was 6 years ago! He’s married, has kids, I think he’s learned his lesson. You know he’s not the only player to take steroids in their career right? I respect your opinion, but just something to reflect on. Humans aren’t perfect.
I definitely respect that people make mistakes and we all can move on, to a degree. But I will never understand why MLB still gave Braun the MVP in 2011 even though they knew before MVP was announced that Braun had tested positive. The Dodgers are my least favorite team (A’s fan, Eck was my favorite player growing up, Gibson World Series, bleh…) and even through those anti-Dodgers tinted glasses I’d say even without steroid test I’d give Kemp MVP. But regardless on how the voters vote or who they vote how does MLB give Braun MVP knowing he roided?!?! Only thing I can think of is they didn’t want to deal with public/media driving a pitchfork march saying you striped Braun of MVP now strip all the roiders out of the records and didn’t want the headache.
Braun’s actions were far too calculated to qualify as a simple “mistake” – such an outlook removes accountability. Ryan Braun is a lad of low character and, as I’ve said before, that same picked-upon delivery driver should pickup Braun’s MVP trophy and bring it to Matt Kemp’s house. Braun did not make a mistake, he deliberately mislead his fans, teammates, and all in his path. Despicable.
They didn’t know when they picked him. He failed his test in the NLDS against Arizona, not in the regular year so the MLB didn’t have that information when they voted
Yeah I get that, he definitely didn’t deserve that title after what he did. I would hope he’s changed now and is being the player he is with steroids. I think that’s a big issue with the MLB, they should address this issue more with steroid use and punish them more properly.
the courier did not get fired… he was put on leave while the appeals process took place and he got his job handling pee back when all was said and done. fact of the matter, yes, braun cheated and is a liar, but he never would have gotten as far as he did if the handler didnt screw up
never fear, cardinal fans, the front office will screw up the glut of outfielders.
Never fear, the “bfib’s” will find something to complain about.
Knowing Mo he’ll keep someone like Grichuk over someone like Pham.
knowing mo, he’ll let girsh sign someone like fowler.
I certainly hope so.
Now the Cardinals can move some of them for a big bat and bullpen help