Korean right-hander Seung-hwan Oh will pursue a Major League contract this winter, reports Jeeho Yoo of Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. According to Yoo, Oh will travel to the United States this week and spend about 10 days in the U.S. as he meets with Major League clubs. Multiple teams have already expressed interest in Oh, who is considered the best closer in the history of the Korea Baseball Organization.
Oh, 33, carries one of the best nicknames you’ll encounter in pro sports: “The Final Boss.” After compiling a 1.69 ERA over his first nine seasons as a professional in the KBO, Oh went on to sign a two-year contract with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball. He experienced similar success in Japan, recording a similarly impressive 2.25 ERA. Over the course of 11 professional seasons, Oh has worked to a 1.81 ERA with 357 saves, 10.7 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 in 646 1/3 innings of work.
Word about Oh’s possible jump to the Major Leagues surfaced last month. As MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk noted at the time, a two-year-old report from Global Sporting Integration on Oh explained that he had a fastball (nicknamed the “Stone Fastball,” for those who enjoy a good nickname as much as I do) that sat 92 to 94 mph and could touch 97 mph. Oh’s secondary pitches include a slider thrown at a wide range of velocities (80 to 89 mph) and a curveball that he throws in the 70s. Oh does have some injuries on his docket — as one might expect from a pitcher that will turn 34 next July — having undergone Tommy John surgery in college (2001) and a second elbow operation in 2010. Any concerns about lingering effects from that second operation were probably wiped out when he returned in 2011 with the best season of his career, posting a 0.63 ERA (four earned runs in 57 innings) with a 76-to-11 K/BB ratio for the Samsung Lions.
Oh is now a free agent and, as such, is not subject to the posting system that restricts Korean and Japanese players with less service time. While some reports out of Japan indicated that Hanshin is pursuing an extension with Oh, Yoo’s source stressed that Oh’s focus is on securing a Major League contract. It’s not known which clubs have expressed interest at this time, though Oh reportedly intrigued the Yankees two years ago before he signed a two-year deal to play in Japan.
Oh adds to a growing list of Korean talent that could make the jump to the Major Leagues in 2016. The Twins have already secured the bidding rights to slugger Byung-ho Park, and outfielder Ah-seop Son will reportedly be posted early next week. Additionally, first baseman Dae-ho Lee, a free agent that, like Oh, is exempt from the posting system, has declared his intent to sign with a Major League club as well.
Though Oh, will probably be outside of the Pirates price range, he could be a good fit, especially if the Pirates end up dealing Melancon
Why deal Melancon and take a gamble on Oh? If they deal Melancon I think you will see Watson as the closer and the money saved on Melancon used on starting pitching.
Who replaces Watson then?
If he is out of the pirates price range the pirates are in trouble
This would be an ideal 8th inning guy if they trade Melancon. I dont know why you think he would be too expensive. I cant see any scenario where that would be the case. They got money to spend.
Time for the MLB to face the “The Final Boss.” Awesome nickname!
How could he not go to the Oh’s hon?
What an amazing offseason, both with MLB free agents and international players, this could be
That nickname is awesome. Conjures up images of my Super Nintendo.
dodgers could always use bullpen help. maybe use him as a step up man/back up closer to jansen.
Depends on the ultimate price point, of course, but I definitely want to see the Red Sox involved here
They used to have a scout whose job was to do nothing but cover the far east and am sure they still do. Used to be one of the handful of teams that did. Don’t remember all the team names, but remember Pittsburgh was another that had a scout in that area if not mistaken.. Far east, covering NPB, Taiwan, Korean leagues etc..
Am sure the Sox have at least laid eyes on him. If they see fit, hope they sign him as well.
Detroit has a opening at closer. Age shouldn’t be a factor to them. Sign him up Al!
Tigers?
Turns 34 in July, has 571 games under his belt and a history of elbow problems? If I were a GM, I would be interested, but not enchanted. I think there’s a lot of risk here.
i dont see much of a risk here. since in a matter of 15 years he only had two issues with the elbow. sure he older and more risk to injures. but i dont see his elbow problems to be that big of a problem
every pitcher is prone to injury. embrace the risk.
Best Nickname
I agree, Hentai King
If the Dodgers are smart they’ll have Ryu waiting at the airport with a suitcase full of cash.
Agreed. But, alas they are not as smart as they believe.