Jan 3: The deal between the Padres and Go is a two-year guarantee worth “more than 9MM,” according to Jiheon Pae of Spochoo.com (Korean language link). Pae adds that the deal includes a club option. Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News relayed last night an announcement from the LG Twins that the club has given Go approval to sign with the Padres. At the time of Go’s posting, the Twins reportedly allowed Go to seek MLB opportunities with the condition that they could reverse their decision if the offers Go received from MLB clubs- and, subsequently, the posting fee the club would receive- were too low.
Jan 2: South Korean reliever Woo Suk Go is nearing an agreement with the Padres, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post (X link). It appears to be a major league contract, as Heyman suggests Go could serve as San Diego’s closer next season.
Go, a 25-year-old righty, has pitched parts of seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization. He has worked as a pure reliever throughout that time, operating as the closer for the LG Twins for the past five years. After struggling during his first two seasons as a teenager, Go has been a solid bullpen arm for a half-decade.
He has rattled off four seasons with a sub-4.00 ERA, including three campaigns allowing fewer than 2.20 earned runs per nine. Go surpassed 30 saves in each of 2019, ’21 and ’22. He has fanned more than 26% of batters faced in each of the last five years, topping the 30% mark in the last two seasons.
While Go has consistently shown the ability to miss bats, he hasn’t always been around the strike zone. He has walked more than 10% of opposing hitters in four of his seven seasons. Go issued free passes to an alarming 11.6% of batters faced last year, contributing to a 3.68 ERA that made for more of a solid than exceptional platform showing.
Public scouting reports have generally pegged Go as a likely middle reliever at the big league level. Eric Longenhagen of FanGraphs writes that Go leans primarily on a mid-90s fastball and low-90s cutter while occasionally mixing in a curveball. That’s an intriguing arsenal, but the fringy control could make him a risk in higher-leverage spots.
San Diego has been one of the sport’s most aggressive teams in targeting players making the jump from Asian professional leagues. They recently signed lefty Yuki Matsui to a five-year, $28MM pact as he came over from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. It seems unlikely Go would match that kind of deal, but the Friars are clearly intrigued by his youth and swing-and-miss potential.
With Josh Hader, Nick Martinez and Luis García hitting free agency, the Padres have Matsui and Robert Suarez (another former NPB signee) as their top two leverage relievers. Go, assuming a contract is finalized, could join that mix alongside righty Enyel De Los Santos — whom San Diego acquired from the Guardians in exchange for Scott Barlow this winter.
In addition to what they’d pay Go, San Diego would owe a release fee to the LG Twins under the MLB/KBO posting system. If the total guarantee is less than $25MM, the posting fee would be 20% of the contract’s value. If the guarantee topped $25MM, they’d owe 17.5% of the next $25MM. They’d owe 15% on any spending beyond $50MM, but it’s highly unlikely that Go received a deal approaching that level.
holecamels35
Woo, Hope he doesn’t suck. Then he needs to go.
statman
Who sucks and goes?
Super2
Woo, obviously
labial
Racist
kdub53
Troll
LosPobres1904
Racist
I.M. Insane
I like Chinese food
LosPobres: Racist!
LosPobres1904
Troll
scottn59c
Go suk an egg.
OIC2021
The correct pronoun is He Suk
GASoxFan
The red sox really needed to sign him to play on the woo sox, just for name marketing purposes
Yankee Clipper
His name does elicit memories of lines from an oldie but goody: Full Metal Jacket….
TrumboRedux
You a photographer?
No. I’m a combat correspondent!
You seen much combat?
I’ve seen a little on TV!
STSox
I guess I need to reevaluate my sensitivities and burn my Dick Pole jersey.
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
@st
I don’t know which is worse Dick Pole, or Pete Lacock lol.
@trumbo
It’s sad we can’t make a joke about somebody’s name without someone saying “yOu’Re RaCIst”. We are not making fun of him because he’s Asian, just joking around because he has a funny name. Guess what, I make puns about brown and white peoples names too!
Longtimecoming
I always go to NASCAR’s Dick Trickle as a real name that just can’t be real! If it was me, I’d be full on “Richard”!
earmbrister
Let’s not forget another all time great sports name
Dick Trickle
scottn59c
Don’t forget Charlie Furbush and Doug Fister. Or more recently, Jake Mangum.
This one belongs to the Reds
Go get ’em!
They couldn’t pass Go but paid out more than 200 dollars.
sgtschultz
That name tho
MacGromit
i’m confident that no one is going to post a play on this gentleman’s name. we’re better than that aren’t we?
TrumboRedux
And here….we……GO!
Yankee Clipper
Nice UFC-Mike Goldberg reference!
Gwynning
Or The Joker! Happy ’24 gents
Yankee Clipper
You too, Gwynning!
Jesse Chavez enthusiast
@gwynning
Happy 24 buddy, a lot of my favorite mlbtr crew are here.
Slow day at work
This is definitely a Joker/Dark Knight reference
DeusSexMachina
His heckles write themselves.
Cuso
Oh man. Please tell me this post isn’t closed for comments
Cuso
That name though
LosPobres1904
Hope it doesn’t get closed down lol
Fernando P
Didn’t they already sign Yuki Matsui to be the closer?
expos_back_by_2025
My thoughts exactly
labial
Matsui gets a big incentive if he closes. He is locked in to the 8th inning. No chance they let him earn that bag
Blue Baron
@labial: Not that you have any way of knowing that, of course.
websoulsurfer
No incentives. mlbtraderumors.com/2024/01/details-on-yuki-matsuis…
James Midway
Even with both of them it wouldn’t shock me if Robert Suarez (also former NPB) is the closer next year. Although they could also go closer by committee until they figure out who is best where.
stpofsd
how would go close over matsui or Suarez? that doesn’t make sense
beersy
Have to remember that suggestion came from Heyman.
websoulsurfer
They may have 5 pitchers out of NPB and KBO before this is all over. Padres are reportedly nearing a deal with Roberto Osuna and Yariel Rodriguez.
oldguyG
A big no to Osuna .
Habitual Truth Teller
Roberto Osuna is apparently staying in Japan as to not have to pay California taxes
LosPobres1904
They don’t have pitching
UncommonSense
The Padres plan is to have a team full of closers and shortstops
mostlytoasty
Suarez is expected to be the closer. He’s also getting paid the most so it makes sense. Had a rough 2023 from injuries but he was extremely good in his debut ’22 season.
Captainmike1
The giants signed his brother in law
Tacoshells
Wish my BF would suk goo
ACK
Yes. AJ Preller is going to pull some magic this year. He’s always been good at signing for under the radar RP from Asia.
preauto
By magic do you mean make the playoffs?
ACK
Yeah, I believe the Padres make the playoffs in 2024 as the 5th or 6th WC. They still have Tatis Jr, Xander Bogaerts, Manny Machado, Ha Seong Kim. Joe Musgrove, & Yu Darvish. The Padres just need to fill out that lineup w/ league average roster.
SD tried the rock star lineup in 2023. In 2024, they need a more, well rounded roster with the stars all having better years than 2023.
Champ world champion Texas Rangers
Darvish is upset he was lied too.
ACK
I listened to a translation of the interview. Darvish was being “tongue in check”. He even joked that everyone in Japan needs to sign a petition asking the Chiba Lotte Marines to allow Roki Sasaki to be posted to MLB after 2024.
Darvish also mentioned the LA Dodgers are going to be disappointed when everyone in Japan buys a Padres baseball cap and the Dodgers aren’t Japan’s team since the Japanese people are smart enough not to pay Ohtani & Yamamoto’s salary buying LA Dodgers baseball caps.
I thought the Q&A was hilarious. Evidentially, Yu Darvish is Roki Sasaki idol and Roki says he learned a lot playing with Darvish during 2022 WBC, so I wouldn’t be surprised if the Padres get Sasaki if he comes over as an amateur FA.
BucksPackersBrewersWow!
Dick Butkus is looking down from heaven and is smiling just a little.
James Midway
Butkus was the perfect person to have that name. No halfway intelligent person would look at him and then give him crap over his name.
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
The sad thing about Butkus is you never knew if he was slow from all the hits from playing football or if he was just naturally dimwitted.
RunDMC
He sounds like my last relationship.
AL B DAMNED
WOO GO SUK!! HOW MUCH ARE THE PADRES PAYING?
Blue Baron
Why are you SHOUTING?
Habitual Truth Teller
Some people have poor eye sight and capital letters helps them read what they are saying.
Thomar
Sounds like an express prostitution service
D2323
Always wanted a Padres jersey that says Suck on the back
James Midway
Wouldn’t it say Woo because the family name is used first in Korea?
YankeesBleacherCreature
@James I’m just going by what Wikipedia states for him.
CravenMoorehead
YankeesBleacherCreature again showing everyone why his career in stand-up comedy didn’t go far and why he works the drive-thru at Burger King.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
Funnier than a Damn Hemroid.
baseballteam
His name translated into English is “John Smith.”
Go Go Power Rangers
Finally a good one
CravenMoorehead
For Padres fans, this signing might be hard to swallow after the Soto trade. Could be a long and hard 162 game season for the Friar’s faithful, especially after the team blew their wad in free-agency in recent years.
James Midway
The all huge contract team only won 82 games. They watched the D-Backs with a much lower salary and less household names roll all the way to the series. I’m hoping for addition by subtraction this year. I like Schildt and I’m excited to see what he can do.
ACK
I’m predicting the Padres win more games than the NY Yankees in 2024 because this is baseball : )
CravenMoorehead
ACK
I predict that your 2024 will be just like your 2023, no bitches. 🙂
Crunchtime1969
Old news. Ain’t you got something better than that. If you’re going to hate put some fire in it.
CravenMoorehead
Cry harder, cuck 🙂
TrumboRedux
Craven, how is the weather out there in the Arctic these days my man. You still got 10 fingers and 10 toes brother? P.S
Glad you still reppin The Beet!
CravenMoorehead
My homie Trumbo!
I’m doing well. Hope you and your family had a wonderful holiday season.
AL B DAMNED
DOES ANYONE HAVE A JEOPARDY CLUE?
YOU SUCK, NOW LEAVE..IN BASEBALL TERMS?
Rsox
Duck Duck Go coming to a Padres bullpen near you
TrumboRedux
Rsox called it first!
AL B DAMNED
Future Padres vs Yankees Box Score:
W- Woo Suk Go
L- Dick Fitts
Fernando P
Fitts was traded to Boston for Verdugo
websoulsurfer
Shhhh. Don’t ruin the joke.
Or is it better if you say?
Future Padres vs Red Sux Box Score:
W – Woo Suk Go
L – Dick Fitts
AL B DAMNED
MY BAD! I HAD VERTIGO FOR A MINUTE!
MLB Top 100 Commenter
That’s Verdugo
ChetLemonaid
Woo Suk Go… the rallying cry for us Tigers’ fans for a decade.
DarkSide830
His posting window was still open?
Yankee Clipper
Yep, ends tomorrow at 2pm. Cutting it close for sure!
longtimepadrefan
Best name to chant. He will be a setup man at best, and probably will start as a middle reliever.
oldgfan
Totally.
WO (swing & miss)
You SUK
GO sit down
After every strike out.
longtimepadrefan
I won’t be surprised if they also sign Hyun Jin Ryu for the rotation
Crunchtime1969
I hope he’s lights out. The Padres have to replace Tim Hill and Luis Garcia. lol. This kid ought to be better than them.
99socalfrc
Is anyone else in MLB signing relievers to multi year deals? Specifically non closers? The Padres found the magic formula with Drew Pomeranz, and the 4 years $32m they set on fire with that deal just has them thirsting for more….
AJ Preller remains the biggest fraud in MLB front office history.
ACK
AJ Preller has his faults. But he also traded prospects that didn’t pan out for Snell, Darvish, & Musgrove. Yeah trading for the wrong Nola was a bad trade along with the Clevenger trade. But AJ has had more hits than misses. And AJ isn’t a prospect hugger like Cashman.
YankeesBleacherCreature
Does Cashman not get a pass for the Soto trade?
99socalfrc
What does his trades for starting pitching have todo with bullpen signings? Look around the league, NOONE in the last 5 years is signing middle relievers to 4-5 year deals. Why? Because everyone else knows they are volatile, the best ones flame out in 18 months, new ones get hot and it goes like this always.
Yet here is Preller working on his 4th long term contract for a guy who isn’t an MLB closer and shouldn’t be paid like one.
Ryan W
2 years for $9m is hardly lighting money on fire.
dasit
still waiting for long duk dong to be posted
SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs
Should profile as a decent 7th inning man, and with youth still it could be a multi-year deal
unpaidobserver
And then the nun says…
Tabata's Adopted Son
Why are teams going for more middle of the road guys from Japan more these days? Is there a reason behind it, or just natural acceleration?
ACK
In the early 2000’s, the Japanese SP were undervalued. You had Darvish, Tanaka, Maeda, and Ohtani that are were signed at SP no 3-4 prices. Now MLB is overvaluing the SP from Japan. Yamamoto is getting paid more than Derrick Cole.
So, I think going after the RP market from NPB or KBO is the new undervalued FA market for Asian players.
TomL
Come to Wrigley Woo, we’ve got a song ready for you after your saves and some old 2016 warmup
Tshirts we can dust off.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Lot of all 3 at Wrigley: wooing, sucking and going.
TomL
You sure that’s the Cubs? Haven’t sent them actually Woo anyone yet but Counsell. Gotta love those White Sox huh?
RobM
I doubt he’ll be the closer, at least at the start, over Matsui. The Padres clearly are focused on improving the team with a stronger pen.
raisinsss
Yeah I don’t get this either.
towinagain
Ok, meh.
towinagain
Eye test wise, he has electric stuff
Old York
Padres going the KBO way and Dodgers turning into a NPB team.
VegasSDfan
Two Japanese, two Korean players. Love it.
websoulsurfer
According to rumors out of Japan, Roberto Osuna and Yariel Roriguez are also nearing deals with the Padres.
Rumors are that Padres are closing in on a deal with the Marlins for a LH starting pitcher that includes a major league catcher and 3 prospects, not including any of Padres top 3 but possibly including Lesko.
Team seems to be rounding into form.
Pete zahut
Where is that Marlins rumored trade coming from?
Brew88
Luzardo for Campusano and Lesko and other prospects? Too steep a price.
Bozzmania
Luzardo would be a much needed get, 3 years control
parksy78
Ric Flair’s 3 words to women.
VegasSDfan
Awesome. Excited to be bringing in top talent to the Padres bullpen
denistaylor
If he gets released he’ll have to change the first name to Yoo.
AL B DAMNED
A’S AND ROCKIES ARE WAITING
FOR THE POSTING OF:
WIN SOM SOON!
HE IS AN AMBIDEXTROUS RELIEF
PITCHER THAT CAN GET RIGHTIES
AND LEFTIES OUT AN AVERAGE OF
3 TIMES OUT OF TEN BATTERS!
Blue Baron
Why are you SHOUTING? Settle down, Beavis.
VonPurpleHayes
How many “Yu Suk” signs are we going to see in San Diego when Darvish takes the hill and Suk gets the save?
HBRC1987
I don’t know about the Woo but my ex does the other part still.
Yankee Clipper
Just a side note in reference to the article’s mention of Woo’s advanced pitching stats…Although he walked 11% of batters, Blake Snell’s career average in walks is 11%, and last season Snell walked something like 13% while winning the Cy Young.
deej
Snell is a starter where walking batters doesn’t hurt you as much as relievers. Walking batters as much as Go does as a reliever is usually a death sentence in MLB.. Also Snell might one of pitching’s biggest outliners.
roiste
Snell’s walk rate is a massive red flag that casts extreme doubt on his ability to continue pitching like an ace when his stuff starts to decline with age. If someone gives him $200M, it has a high risk of being a Kris Bryant/Javy Baez-type disaster. My team’s pitching sucks and I would not be happy if they signed Snell.
The author’s concern about Go’s walk rate is valid.
drasco036
I agree that I wouldn’t want to sign Snell to 200+ million, I disagree that walks are a huge area of concern.
I’ve brought it up with the same rational as exit velocity, the new darling of writers and fans, I don’t care what a players “exit velocity” is, I care what it is before two strikes. Similarly, I don’t care if a pitcher walks hitters, I care WHO they walk. If you are pitching cautiously to Mookie Betts and walk him, so be it. If you walk Tony Kemp, we have issues.
YankeesBleacherCreature
@drasco I took a dive into Snell’s two-strike stats a month ago. On two-strikes counts, he nibbles on the corners of the plate to try to induce weak contact. Sometimes players don’t swing at it which results in a walk. The BBs aren’t a byproduct of his lack of command. His average batted ball exit velocity was in the 84th percentile. Gerrit Cole was 43rd. Both won CYAs and are two different types of pitchers.
roiste
Has he made that work so far? Sure. But I wouldn’t want my team paying $200M for the decline years of a guy who already needs to nibble to get outs.
YankeesBleacherCreature
That’s a fair opinion.
drasco036
Most pitchers use that same philosophy, get two and try to get the hitter to chase. It’s not really they have to nibble vs trying to get a guy to expand his zone.
Justin Steele was like that when he first came into the league, he was at 60+ pitches regularly on the 3rd inning until Jon Lester convinced him to be more aggressive in the zone which turned him into one of the top starters in the league (at least based on the little over a year and a half sample size).
I’m not implying Snell should change his approach to pitching but like Lester told Steele, “if they didn’t hit the first two pitches, why are you so worried about them squaring up the third?”
junkmale
Should Woo Suk or should Woo Go
Longtimecoming
Now I have the Clash in my head!
Probably "Rick hahn"
Go Suk Woo!
Blue Baron
Have you guys heard about the new Korean browsing app, SukSukGo?
This one belongs to the Reds
Manager: Hey, Go!
Team: Where?
Manager: Hey, Go!
Team: Where?
Manager: Hey, Go!
(Whole team starts going downstairs)
Manager: Where are you going? It’s only the eighth inning!
Player: You said go!
Manager:!@#$%^&*
Go: !@#$%^&*
Player: That would be the first English words he says.
HankAaronDidGreenies
you thought you cooked
drasco036
It would be nice if he could pinch run every once in a while because we all need a little “woo’s on first” in our lives.
Degaz
LOL “sub 4.00” ERA…like that’s a good thing for a reliever let alone a KBO one.
Brew88
Pads have never won a WS so WS Go on his jersey will appeal
Tomas80
You don’t “rattle off” seasons of pitching. Just saying.
VermonsterSD
Wonder if Dick Mountain (Rich Hill) gets all “That’s racist” when people talk about him…….lol
I.M. Insane
He needs to enter the game to The Cars’ “Touch and Go”
scottn59c
Woo Suk Go – uh, uh, ohh!
Ham Fighter
Fun fact this guy is married to jung ho lee (giants new signing) sister. So the whole family and in laws moving to the West Coast next season.
kdub53
If a black ant and a red ant fought these idiots screaming racist would be saying it offended them, then go to their safe space. Do go out into the sun ladies!
JoeBrady
Heyman suggests Go could serve as San Diego’s closer next season.
========================
I’m taking all wagers that Go won’t be their closer next year.
Snellzilla #7
The San Diego Padres. LOL!