The Case for Chan Ho Park and the Chicago Cubs

Multiple reports, including those of Sports Illustrated 's Jon Heyman, indicate that the Chicago Cubs are interested in free agent relief pitcher Chan Ho Park, of the 2009 National League champion Philadelphia Phillies.

The rumor has drawn sparse but mixed reaction, including this article by Bleacher Report featured columnist Bob Warja.

To say the least, Warja is not in favor of the would-be addition to Chicago's bullpen.

Honesty compels me to disagree, however, and so here I set forth the case for Chan Ho Park.

Park, 37, has compiled 12 starts and 87 relief appearances over the past two seasons and has struck out 152 in 178.2 innings of work. He has also improved his control during those two years, resulting in a 2.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio since the start of 2008. 

Meanwhile, he has drastically improved upon his batted-ball tendencies. He has allowed less than one home run per nine innings and has induced roughly 45 percent more ground balls than fly balls. These numbers allowed him to compile a career-best fielder-independent ERA of 3.43 in 2009. 

Moreover, Park has rediscovered his velocity. After failing to top 90 miles per hour for an average fastball velocity from 2005-07, Park has averaged 91.8 mph over the last two years. These numbers indicate he is ready to continue his surge as a reliever into 2010, and the Cubs (in need of a better right-handed swingman than newly acquired Carlos Silva) would do well to look hard at Park.

Finally, Park can provide the Cubs with valuable playoff experience. He has appeared in 12 games over the past two postseasons, including four each in the NLCS and World Series this year. His veteran presence would undoubtedly be welcome, and at the low salary Park will likely earn in 2010 ($2.5 million in 2009), he would be an efficient signing too.

Cubs GM Jim Hendry will certainly keep all options open, but he may not find a better remaining option than Park on the rapidly thinning pitching market.