Twins win ‘bidding’ for rights to Korean slugger

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov 10, (AP): The Minnesota Twins have won the bidding for negotiating rights to Byung Ho Park, a 29-year-old first baseman who totaled 105 home runs over the past two seasons in the hitter-friendly Korea Baseball Organization.

The notice from Park’s team, the Nexen Heroes, that Minnesota’s bid was the highest was announced Monday by Major League Baseball. The posting fee was not disclosed by either MLB or the Twins, who said they wouldn’t comment on the process “out of respect” for Park and the Heroes. But according to multiple reports, the amount was $12.85 million.

Per KBO rules, the Twins have a 30day exclusive negotiating period to sign Park to a contract. In the interim, Park will remain under control of the Heroes. If for some reason a deal isn’t reached, the Twins would get their bid money back.

Park has a career .951 on-base-plusslugging percentage in nine professional seasons in the KBO. The 6-foot-1, 194pound Park batted .343 in 2015 with 53 home runs and 146 RBIs in 140 games with 161 strikeouts.

Park

Professional players in Japan can be banned for a definite period, indefinitely or permanently. NPB’s charter stipulates indefinite bans can be lifted by the commissioner after five years if a player appeals after maintaining good conduct.

Yomiuri pitchers Satoshi Fukuda, Shoki Kasahara and Ryuya Matsumoto all admitted to betting on games during questioning by police. The three were not involved in any game-fixing or betting on their own team.

His best fit with the Twins will probably be as a designated hitter, with Joe Mauer and the $69 million over three years remaining on his contract entrenched at first base.