The SSG Landers of the Korea Baseball Organization have announced that they have signed outfielder Guillermo Heredia (hat tip to Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.net). Heredia will earn $900K, with the possibility of earning an additional $100K in performance bonuses.
Heredia, who was projected to make $1.1MM in his final trip through the arbitration process, was non-tendered by the Braves in November. A veteran of parts of seven Major League seasons, Heredia joined Atlanta after the 2020 season, having been designated for assignment by the Mets, and would go on to win a World Series with the club.
Heredia appeared in 74 games (82 plate appearances) with the Braves during the 2022 season. However, he hit a poor .158/.220/.342 with a colossal 39% strikeout rate and below-average 7.3% walk rate. While never a major factor at the plate, with a career .231/.310/.346 line, 20% strikeout rate, and 8.3% walk rate, the right-handed hitter has a history of above-average fielding, having accrued at least five Outs Above Average (OAA) in five of his seven seasons. Nevertheless, during the 2022 season, Heredia earned 0 OAA while posting 1 Defensive Run Saved and a 0.8 Ultimate Zone Rating.
With the Braves hosting an outfield of three-time All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr., reigning Rookie of the Year Michael Harris, Eddie Rosario, and two-time All-Star Marcell Ozuna, Heredia was evidently deemed non-essential by the club. Instead, Heredia, who turns 32 years old in January, will make the transition overseas. He will earn a raise compared to a minor league salary and can explore a return to MLB if his time in South Korea proves fruitful.
SSG Landers putting the entire KBO on notice!
Forget Senga, Craven. This is the signing that has us all riveted!
THE KITCHEN IS ON FIRE THE HOT STOVE IS COOKIN FOR REAL NO CAP
When you can’t hit close to your weight, it’s time to go. Give the foam sword to Ozuna, maybe that responsibility will keep him off the field & we can get a real left fielder.
Curly was not only the smartest stooge…he was also the most sassy. Yasssss.
Good link to him. Never hit for the Braves but was the heart of the team. his enthusiasm and love of the game will be missed.
There goes the last guy the M’s could have afforded….
He will be missed in Atlanta. He was definitely the fire under everyone’s butts! Plastic swords and all. Great dude!
I wish him well. Great dugout guy.
Great presence, but the production just wasn’t there. Now if some Japanese or Korean team could sign Abraham Almonte to save MLB teams from inexplicably pulling him from the scrap heap as a “depth option”, they can move on to the next generation of all glove/no stick/always available OFs.
Almonte signed with the LG Twins of the KBO about a week ago. We’re safe… for now
Looks like they rescinded their offer, so…
The sword will stay alive, in ATL!!!!
In theory an upgrade over Lagares as Heredia can actually draw a walk unlike Lagares.
Not my emotional support Heredia!
There’s goes the official Braves cheerleader/mascot. After watching recent developments and Trea Turner going to the Phillies I know think Dansby will reunite with me as a Dodger.
I need Fangraphs to do some study on MLB players in Korea. I know some succeed but seems like I see several released 2 months in after hitting .176
Best of luck to Heredia. Dude put 100% of himself into wearing a Braves uniform and I think every Braves fan will remember his contributions to the WS win forever.
Not a lot of foreign hitters has seen success recently here in Korea. As a Korean Braves fan, I truly want Heredia to succeed here, but I’m not sure if he could actually hit, even in Korea. Definitely an improvement over Lagares on the defensive end though.