Pirates infielder Jung Ho Kang discussed his attempt to return to the majors with Jee-ho Yoo of Yonhap (here and here). Kang derailed his career when he drove under the influence of alcohol in his native Korea — the third time he has been arrested for a DUI — with a subsequent conviction leaving him unable to obtain a visa to work in the United States. Now, as he prepares to play in the Dominican Winter League, Kang says he hopes “to become a better person and a better player.” Whether or not he’ll be able to return to action in the majors — in 2018 or beyond — will ultimately depend upon the U.S. government.
- In a piece that’s not altogether unrelated to Kang’s situation, Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette analyzes the thin margin of error the Pirates front office has to work with in light of the team’s still-limited payroll. GM Neal Huntington notes the need to find “significant value outside of the free-agent market” as well as the imperative to “get more than just a dollar-for-dollar value” in free agency. The piece highlights the challenges facing the just-extended executive as he seeks to position the Bucs for contention once again.
- Needless to say, the Cubs have seen some ups and downs from their rotation this year. Now, it’s key lefty Jon Lester who is struggling to find answers, as Patrick Mooney of CSNChicago.com writes. The battle-tested veteran has not been very effective since returning from the DL at the start of September; things came to a head last night, as he allowed seven earned runs on eight hits and three hits without recording a strikeout. Lester declined to blame any physical limitations and says he’s “not worried about” the middling results, noting that he simply needs to make adjustments as he has over the course of his successful career.
- The Cubs will hope that Jake Arrieta is sharper when he makes his own return from the DL. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that the veteran righty, who went on the shelf right as Lester came back, feels his arm strength may actually have improved after getting some rest due to a hamstring injury. Arrieta is scheduled for two more regular-season outings, though Chicago will wait to make any final calls on the last few games of the year.
- Shortstop Aledmys Diaz is back with the Cardinals after an extended run at Triple-A, but as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes, his role with the organization — now and in the future — is quite uncertain. Diaz has moved around the infield a bit at Triple-A, perhaps creating some new versatility, though he continued to struggle at the plate. With Paul DeJong now seemingly ensconced at short, Diaz will need to carve out a new role or wait for an opportunity to open with the Cards or, perhaps, some other organization.
Pirates need to look into a contingency plan, in case Kang can’t make it back to The U.S.
Or just get rid of the loser altogether.
Too much money to just let go. Pirates just can’t release him. That’s not what you do with a tight budget.
I wonder if the Buccos really want the US government to allow him to return to the States. Think of the payroll savings by him being on the restricted list!
They’re not paying him. General rule is you don’t pay a player when they are suspended for off-field issues like drug use or domestic violence/criminal activity. Teams are only on the hook for salaries when it is an on-field based suspension, like fighting or throwing at a batter.
There was no savings really, they spent the money they saved on Sean Rod, and Kontos.
His contract is only about 4 million a year. They definitely want him back because his production is far greater than his salary.
Yep drunk driving is worth than PEDs huh?
Ummm, yes. And it’s really not even close…
First I agree, I just meant as far as the brew crew fool calling Kang a loser over the likes of Braun.
They supposedly got SeanRod for that reason
They already have one. His name is David Freese.
Diaz can be next seasons Greg Garcia except with some pop in his bat
Diaz is a terrible defender anywhere he plays and greg garcia has been good in limited action even if he doesnt put the ball over the fence.
True Garcia does his job and that’s to get on base. Yes Diaz has more pop but defensively he’s not very good and he’s striking out a lot more
Garcia will be next year’s Garcia. Diaz will be primarily more of a pinch-hitter.
Isnt Kang the same player that was investigated for raping some woman a couple years ago?
Yes, allegedly
Well, the rape is alleged, but he’s the guy–although if Kang had some Tony Plush-esque second identity, I wouldn’t be surprised.
Investigation ended with no charges filed.
Has Lester lost his luster? Well, just since July 9th he’s had 2 starts in which he surrendered 10 runs, and yesterday’s start when he was lit up for 7. Every SP has a bad outing from time to time, but for him to have 3 horrific starts of that magnitude in such a brief period is a definite red flag.
I think TB just gets the best of him this year. He’s 0-2 with a 11.57 ERA vs them
Moose moustakas to the Bucs makes so much sense.
Except financially
The point that everyone looks over
This just in: Trump threatens to bring fire and fury like Jung Ho Kang has never seen.
And frankly power?
I hate that for Diaz. When he came up to bat, he made contact on every at bat. So good that he was an all-star. What went wrong?
He didn’t adjust when the pitchers adjusted to him. He tried to pull every outside pitch, which he couldn’t, but he also couldn’t lay off them. So pitchers started only throwing outside.