Here’s the roundup of some familiar North American names heading to play ball overseas…
- The KT Wiz of the Korean Baseball Organization has announced the signing of right-hander Raul Alcantara, according to San Kang of Sports Dong-A (hat tip to MyKBO.net’s Dan Kurtz). The contract will pay Alcantara $650K for the coming KBO season. The righty was outrighted off the Athletics’ 40-man roster at the end of Spring Training, and then posted a 5.29 ERA, 5.7 K/9, and 3.79 K/BB rate over 83 1/3 innings for Oakland’s Triple-A affiliate, working as a starter in 10 of his 32 games. Over 46 1/3 IP for the A’s at the big league level in 2016-17, Alcantara managed just a 7.19 ERA, and he allowed a whopping 14 homers over that limited stretch.
- In other news from the KBO, the Kia Tigers announced that they are working on a contract with outfielder Jeremy Hazelbaker (hat tip to Dan Kurtz once again), though a deal is not yet official. Hazelbaker began the 2018 season as a member of the Diamondbacks organization before a pair of trades sent him to the Rays and then to the Twins, though he spend the entire season at the Triple-A level, hitting only .204/.298/.385 over 356 combined PA. The 31-year-old Hazelbaker posted a much better batting line in his brief exposure to Major League pitching in 2016-17, hitting .258/.327/.500 over 285 career plate appearances for the Cardinals and D’Backs. Originally a fourth-round pick for the Red Sox in 2009, Hazelbaker has bounced around six teams in his pro career and will now look for a change of scenery in South Korea.
Serious question. Anyone pick “overseas” for 1 FA in contest? This post reminded me, came closest to choosing Drew Pomeranz.
Serious question: do you have to comment on every thread?
I didnt know where else to ask it and it was my first year participating in the FA contest this year, excited.
Why genuinely reply to posts in other threads only to chastise me.. here? Bizarre. You guys would rather have inactivity. This is minuscule transaction,
Xabial, you’re fine. Would be weird if you didnt comment. You entertain me.
Baseball1600, Keep trying to be toxic.. If you’re gonna call me out with this BS, don’t bother replying any of my future posts. It would save both of us time, if don’t have mutual respect for other person. I’ll comment where want, and honestly bro, I’m not going to change for you or anybody.
Btw…. Who are you..?
I love xabiel. He has a passion for baseball and should never be knocked for commenting. Some people on here feel the need to belittle others and act as if they have this superior baseball IQ or inside scoop to every teams player valuation and it’s just easier to ignore most of them to be honest but it is frustrating and that is where moderators should occasionally step in and make suggestions to the people who feel the need to bring insults and negativity.
Just my humble perspective!
I like commenting on your posts and constantly refreshing the page to see all 9 edited versions of your comment. It’s funny to see a new word or punctuation added with every refresh.
Ur tone’s difficult to figure but I’ll humor you.
With so many people out for your head, it only makes sense to edit it million times, cuz expect to get attacked for stupidest thing…
Call it a placebo effect… Feel put my best effort writing that post…
Whether or not making it more concise (biggest issue), punctuation or adding link.. I tried!
How about you actually read your comment before you post it? Or do you HAVE to be the first to comment?
Nice strawman. Red Herring? Has to be one
You sound pissed? Thought it gave you a chuckle. I’m very indecisive, and it doesnt matter what I do, I’ll always be wrong, some way, form to some people (even though I stuck more to the subject than you) and we’re not esteemed authors writing books; Wait 5 min, post becomes permanent: Some don’t refresh my posts constantly looking for changes : )
Lol I really try writing the PERFECT posts editing it as more than I should, in that short five min frame. It will never be perfect… 😉
Yeah I sound pretty pissed, as you can tell by the tone of my voice.
Hear no tone. Some days u try engage me in a genuine debate, usually devils advocate that’s respectful and enjoy reading in discussion and other days you pull this *hit. Have no clue what the tone of your writing unless ur talking about the Giants chances of signing Harper.. (then I know ur being serious 😉 )
Who the hell cares if he comments on every post? I mean seriously, you sound so childish here.
Does he have to? No.
Is he allowed to? Yes.
Nobody is forcing you to read xabials comments. Youre choosing to do so and respond to them.
I’m sure you could find a better use of your time 1600.
It takes 20 seconds to write a comment. I like watching Xabial get super defensive, it gives me a chuckle.
You need therapy!
I was thinking a strait jacket
You need to learn how to not fall for a troll!
8 comments times 20 seconds is about 3 minutes worth of comments on this thread alone. I mean, if you’re willing to waste your time doing so who am I to stand in your way.
Stop calling me name.. u compared me once to someone named Casey?… Look in the mirror.
take this post w/ ”legitimance”
Is this not the comment section? Where is he to comment if not here.
I was just about to comment about that but it looks like you beat me to it.
xabial is the queen of the board. Within 5 minutes (or less) of an article being posted, he comments.
Xabial forget the haters!
You be you!
I enjoy your intelligent comments…..
Intelligence at its finest. He should write a book about how he almost picked “overseas” for Drew Pomeranz. I know I would buy it.
Get out of your mothers
basement!
Why does everyone assume one lives in their mothers basement? Is there no other part of their mothers house one can live? Maybe the bathroom? The kitchen is where I live.
Like you’re any better… Actually he could still sign overseas, definitely higher chances of that happening than most, if not all, ur speculative posts 🙂
Jeremy Hazelbakers gonna slam 50 home runs easy. Next Eric Thames
Can’t we all just get along?????? Come on man it’s sports we’re not talking about Yemen or other War zones it’s fricking sports….
Look at the convo transcript and tell me who was the aggressor…? Story of my life here lately, and worst part, MLBTR always let nasty pple pass.. almost usually.
It may turn off prospective users consider joining… Dont even think about it! all worth it. Learned so much. Sign up and comment away 🙂
Again I agree. Certain people get free passes to insult while others are not. But that is reality and not worth trying to figure out.
You rock dude! carry on!
Kyle Regnault signed with the Hiroshima Carp as well
japantimes.co.jp/sports/2018/11/16/baseball/japane…
Don’t think I saw it come up in a article here
A chance to live and experience a new country and culture fir a year while playing baseball and making good money always seems like a better option than another year in the minors.
At least for guys who are late 20s/early 30s and not close to a regular mlb gig.
Looks like the KBO teams made awful signings, although I’d rather have Hazelbaker than a soon to implode Alcantara. Like: I would rather not have a bad Alcantara over a good Nippert/Feierabend who could be MLB quality pitchers, albeit more expensive than Alcantara at $1 million+ each. Kia decided an ok Roger Bernadina was too expensive compared to Hazelbaker.
When I read something like Dong-A and giggle, I am reminded of just how sophomoric my mind is. No regrets, just a comment on life.
xabial is a good fella