Oiguks in the KBO

A tentative list of foreign devils invading the KBO.

Doosan Bears:

Matt Randel, P
Gary Rath, P

Hanwha Eagles:

Doug Clark, OF
Brad Thomas, P

KIA Tigers:

Jose Lima, P
Wilson Valdez, IF

Hyundai Unicorns:

Cliff Braumbaugh, OF

Lotte Giants:

Karim Garcia, OF
Marty McCleary, P

Samsung Lions:

Wes Obermueller, P
Jacob Cruz, OF

SK Wyverns:

Kenny Rayborn, P
Darwin Cubillan, P

LG Twins:

Jamey Brown, P
Chris Oxspring, P

Not So Fast KBO! KT Withdraws Bid!

The KBO has officially become that not-so-rare combination of greedy and stupid. First, they had a buyer for the Hyundai Unicorns. Construction conglomerate, STX. STX asked that the KBO keep a lid on things until negotiations were finalized. The KBO waited about two seconds before running to the press and blabbing about the proposed deal. Negotiations fell apart months later.

Then, KT makes a bid for a new team based in Seoul. Only to have this happen. I understand where the teams are coming from. It's not fair to Doosan and LG, but the league needs 8 teams and should consider itself lucky that anyone is willing to join the league. None of the teams are profitable or will be profitable in the forseeable future.

With the future of the Unicorns in doubt, the Players Association decided to look out for the best interests of the league, instead of their own best interests. Shocking.

Then we get this announcement. Here's hoping the KBO doesn't screw this up again. The thought of a 7 team league makes my stomach turn. The schedule would be a nightmare.

Lima Time! in Korea!

Jose Lima(pictured singing the national anthem. His wife and son are next to him), is coming to Korea. More specifically he'll be joining the KIA Tigers.

When the ink dries on the contract, he'll be the 4th former MLB player on the Tigers roster. He'll be joing pitcher Seo Jae-wong, first baseman Choi Hee-seop and infielder Wilson Valdez.

Lima spent 2007 playing for the Mexican league's Saraparos de Saltillo. He compiled a 13-4 record with a 3.60 ERA. It sounds like he still has something left in the tank.

"Better Devil You Know"

Now, I'm not going to call this racist, but this article from the Korea Times comes close. I was going to go FJM on this, but I'll pass and just point out a few of the inaccuracies, instead of ripping it apart.

¤ The title is poorly written. It should read "Better the Devil You Know...." I'm not sure who screwed up, but someone at a newspaper written in English screwed up. Also, can we please stop calling foreigners "devils." It hurts my feelings.

¤ Jacob Cruz was not released by Hanwha. His contract ended. Also, his "chronic achilles problems" caused him to miss a whopping five games last year.

¤ The reason foreigners leave usually isn't because of good play. It's because of poor play. The rope is a lot shorter for foreigners than it is for Koreans, partially because they're more expensive and partially because they're here to produce. No one wants another Mike Greenwell.
I get the feeling that the guys at the baseball desk at the Korea Times are getting a little restless this offseason.