The Cardinals announced they’ve transferred the contract of right-hander James Naile to the Kia Tigers of the Korea Baseball Organization. The move clears a spot on the 40-man roster, which now sits at 39.
This transaction is made with Naile’s consent. He’ll lock in a $550K guarantee — taking the form of a $200K signing bonus and a $350K salary — with an additional $150K available in incentives, reports Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News (on X). The Kia Tigers are also paying the Cardinals a $250K release fee.
It’s a beneficial transaction for all involved. Naile, who turns 31 next month, secures the strongest contract of his career to date. Selected by the A’s in the 20th round of the 2015 draft, the 6’4″ hurler spent seven years in the Oakland farm system. He never got a big league call and landed with the Cards in minor league free agency over the 2021-22 offseason.
That resulted in a long-awaited MLB look for the UAB product. Naile was called up for seven relief outings in 2022. St. Louis ran him through outright waivers last offseason, keeping him in the organization in a non-roster capacity. They reselected his contract in early May and bounced him on and off the MLB roster throughout the summer. Naile made 10 more big league appearances but surrendered 19 runs in 15 1/3 innings.
With a 7.40 ERA in 24 1/3 career MLB frames, Naile wasn’t a lock to hold his spot on the 40-man into next season. Even if he kept his position on the 40-man, he might’ve spent most of next year on optional assignment to Triple-A Memphis. Spending the majority or entirety of the season in the minors would’ve been less profitable than the guarantee he inked to jump to the KBO.
In addition to the final security, Naile will likely get a rotation look in Korea. He has pitched in relief for the past four years but worked out of the rotation up through 2019. He pitched in a multi-inning bullpen capacity a season ago, logging 59 frames over 31 Triple-A appearances. Naile posted strong numbers in the minors, turning in a 3.66 ERA while striking out over 26% of batters faced. He kept the ball on the ground at a robust 53.2% clip, a trait he’s shown throughout his minor league career.
KBO teams are allowed to carry two foreign-born pitchers on their roster. They tend to use those players out of the rotation as a result. Naile joins former Pirate Wil Crowe as the Tigers foreign pitchers. Outfielder Socrates Brito is their position player. They’ll add a player with an impressive Triple-A résumé, while the Cardinals receive some cash for someone they might’ve placed on waivers eventually anyway. If Naile pitches well as a starter in the KBO, he could elevate his stock for major league clubs an offseason or two from now.
BYE!!
If I remember correctly, his first several relief appearances he was very good and didn’t give up any runs.
Then it all fell apart. Maybe he was just trying to be too perfect and it caught up with him, or after hitters seeing him a few times figured him out. Probably the latter.
Naile in the coffin for his MLB career?
I hope he Nailes it!
Nailed it
Wonder if this is any indication that Edman may not be ready. Thus a space holder for Victor Scott III?
OR
The FO is finally going to sign reliever?
Given where the Cardinals are right now, I don’t think they would be bringing him up early even if Edman wasn’t ready. I’m not sold on the or option either tbh but it does make sense. Could also be a trade in the works, but probably unlikely as well.
Good for him. It was nice for Naile to finally reach the big leagues with his favorite team, but he’ll have a greater opportunity and make more money in the KBO.
Good dude who loved the opportunity to play for his childhood team. The potential is certainly there, but the role was not. He looked good in the minors when they stretched him out, so hopefully he can go over there and prove himself and get a couple year contract with a MLB team in a couple of years. Definitely glad he got his shot here though. All the best, James!
A 4A pitcher if I ever saw one. Good for him to get some culture and a payday
Indeed, who knows, if he does well in South Korea he may find himself a one year guaranteed deal in the MLB someday. Not the most likely thing in the world but players from the NPB and KBO are more popular than ever before!
They signed Matt Carpenter with that spot. Wish him well, would love to see him revitalize the end of his career like Pujols did.