Jung-Ho Kang Rumors Signs 4-Year Contract with Pirates

Jung-Ho Kang has signed a four-year deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates. 

Continue for updates.

---

Kang Signs Deal With Pirates

Friday, Jan. 16

The Pirates announced Friday that they'd finished a deal with Korean shortstop Jung Ho Kang:

---

Kang Contract Nearing Completion

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that a deal is nearly complete in Pittsburgh:

"

Though the Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are close to a contract agreement, the two sides had not settled on the terms Monday.

The negotiations will not be done for “a few more days,” according to a source.

“We do like the player, we’re involved in the process obviously,” general manager Neal Huntington said on the first day of Pirates voluntary workouts at their spring training facility. “Hope to be able to add him to our existing club and help him become a good major league player.”

An ESPN report Monday said the Pirates and Kang had agreed on a four-year contract worth roughly $16 million with an option for a fifth year, but a source said no final agreement had been reached.

"

This jives with a report from Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review on Monday that the deal would be completed later in the week.  

---

Kang Expected to Take Physical in Pittsburgh, Reportedly Agrees to Terms

Monday, Jan. 12

ESPN's Jim Bowden reported Kang and the Pirates have agreed to terms on a deal:

Earlier, Tom Singer of MLB.com confirmed Kang was heading to Pittsburgh to undergo a physical:

"

The Korean Baseball Organization club announced early Monday morning that Kang would depart for Pittsburgh on Wednesday, undergo the prerequisite physical on Thursday and remain in the States if that goes well.

"

"

The team announcement was the latest tacit confirmation of an imminent deal between the Bucs and Kang, who would make baseball history as the first position player to successfully transition from the KBO to MLB.

"

On Friday, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported Kang and the Pirates were closing in on a deal, which Kang's agent later confirmed, courtesy of Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review:

"

The Pirates and Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang are moving close to a deal, sources said.

The sides have been talking about a four-year deal for the power-hitting infielder who had a monster year for the Nexen Heroes last year, hitting 40 home runs and batting .356 in 117 games. Both sides appear intent on getting a deal done.

Kang had been thought to be seeking a four-year for about $5 million a year, and it appears the Pirates are amenable to the length of the deal as their interest is strong. They are also committed to the $5,002,015 bid fee already, presuming the deal gets done.

"

---

Kang's Agent on Potential Agreement with Pirates

Thursday, Jan. 8

Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette provides a statement from Kang's agent, Alan Nero discussing negotiations with Pittsburgh:

"

At this point, I feel confident we’ll come to an agreement.

The process has been very positive. [General manager] Neal [Huntington] has tried very hard to basically come to the table with an offer.

The thing that surprised me a little bit was that they weren’t the ones that were showing the most interest. That was a bit of a surprise. I know Neal’s committed to improving the ballclub.

[...]

I think that the potential of having him in the lineup somewhere, with his power, I think that would help the Pirates win.

"

---

Pirates Win Bidding on Kang

Monday, Dec. 22

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the Pittsburgh Pirates were the team that won the bidding on Kang.

On Dec. 20,  Yoo Jee-ho of the Yonhap News Agency reported the Nexen Heroes had accepted a bid for the star shortstop:

"

The South Korean baseball club Nexen Heroes on Saturday said they have accepted a US$5 million bid by a Major League Baseball (MLB) club for their posted shortstop Kang Jung-ho, clearing the path for the slugger to play in the big leagues next season.

"

On Dec. 16, Adam Rubin of ESPN provided comments from New York Mets general manager Sandy Alderson discussing Kang and the team's interest:

---

Multiple Teams Preparing Pitches for Kang

Monday, Dec. 8

With his Korean team on the precipice of posting their star, Major League Baseball clubs have begun readying their pitches for shortstop Jung-Ho Kang. 

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported Monday that the Mets, Giants and Athletics were among Kang's possible suitors.

Kang, 27, is perhaps the Korea Professional Baseball league's best player. He hit .364/.457/.733 with 36 home runs and 115 RBI last season, earning his fifth straight All-Star berth and catching the eye of numerous stateside scouts. The 6'0", 180-pound middle infielder has posted a .298/.382/.502 career slash line with 138 home runs for his professional career.

While his 2014 season was a bit of an outlier from his career numbers, MLB teams will be tasked with weighing their options fast. The Korean league does not use the same posting system as Japan, where players can negotiate contracts with multiple teams and a maximum posting fee has been set. MLB teams bidding on Korean players are subject to the blind bidding system formerly used, which will give the winner exclusive rights to Kang.

“I know Ryu Hyun-jin has done well in the U.S.,” Kang said, per Yoo Jee-ho of The Korea Times. “I’d like to be just as successful as a hitter. I hope to deliver good news in December.”

Kang has impressed at points on the international stage, dominating for China in 2010 and South Korea in 2014 in the Asian Games. He struggled, however, in China's World Baseball Classic run last year, going 2-for-9 with one home run and two RBI. 

Follow Tyler Conway (@tylerconway22) on Twitter