The following Press Release comes from Major League Baseball.
Nexen Heroes accept bid for negotiating rights to Jung Ho Kang
The Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization have informed Major League Baseball that they have accepted the highest bid for the negotiating rights to 27-year-old shortstop Jung Ho Kang, it was announced today. The highest bid in the posting process was submitted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Pirates now have a period of 30 consecutive days to sign Jung Ho Kang to a Major or Minor League professional contract.
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The following Press Release comes from the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pirates submit winning bid for rights to negotiate with Jung Ho Kang
The Pittsburgh Pirates have confirmed that the Club has secured the right to negotiate with infielder Jung Ho Kang. The Pirates submitted the highest bid for the exclusive right to negotiate with Player and that bid was accepted by the Nexen Heroes, Kang’s Korean Baseball Organization Club. Pursuant to the United States-Korean Player Contract Agreement, the Pirates have 30 days to sign Kang to a contract.
“The Pirates are pleased to have secured the opportunity to attempt to add Jung Ho Kang to our system and look forward to commencing discussions with the Player and his representative in an effort to make that happen,” said Pirates Executive Vice President, General Manager Neal Huntington.
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Jon Heyman of CBSsports reports that the winning bid was $5,002,015.
The 27-year-old Kang batted .356/.459/.739 with 40 home runs and 117 RBI over 117 games this past season for Nexen. There is some question if he will play short stop or second base at the major league level, as well as some question about how well his bat will translate to the majors from the Korean League.
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