Korean outfielder Ah-seop Son drew major league interest earlier this offseason, but he’s now off the market after agreeing to re-sign with the Lotte Giants of the KBO, Jeeho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency reports (on Twitter). The Giants gave Son a four-year contract worth $9.8 billion Korean won ($9MM USD), according to Yoo.
This isn’t the first offseason in which Son looked like a legitimate candidate to immigrate to the majors, only to remain in Korea. The Giants posted him back in 2015, but he stayed with the team after failing to garner any bids from major league clubs (notably, he would have not been subject to the posting system this winter). At the time, Son was coming off a five-year stretch in which he combined to bat .333/.409/.476 and add roughly 12 home runs and 16 stolen bases per season.
The 29-year-old Son continued his strong production in his hitter-friendly league over the previous two seasons, and he just turned in one of his best campaigns. Across 667 trips to the plate, Son slashed .335/.420/.514 with a personal-high 20 homers. He also stole 25 bags on 33 attempts and collected 83 walks against 96 strikeouts.
i believe the contracts is worth 9.8 billion won (₩9.8B), not $9.8MM
Thanks for pointing that out. It’s fixed.
I think he meant that (“$9.8 billion Korean won”) there should be no dollar sign next to the “$9.8 billion” otherwise it indicates/signifies dollars.
Ah seop son! Why you stayin yo?
Probably missed his prime time to move if he wanted to, being 29 vs 33. By a brief look it appears he’s been doing well for himself in the KBO. But if he’s happy then good for him.
He was posted when he was 27. He’s 29 now so he should be in his prime presently. Just not sure how the offensive production would have transferred to major league ball.
Dude’s a billionaire
Billionaire I’m sure that’s in 40 years from now.
Why can’t we express our money like that. Sure would make me feel a lot better about the $35 I have in my bank account.
@Phillies2017…..thumbs up
Lmao
sounds like you need Scott Boras as an agent
lol
The guy didn’t do too well from what I saw. But that was probably like two or three at bats so yeah.
This guy would have been a disaster. Better off saving your money