The Cardinals finally get their closer...

[CrazyEights]

well kinda...ummmmmm... i guess...

Pitcher Choi to Sign With St. Louis Cardinals


JANUARY 28, 2009 07:06

Pitcher Choi Hyang-nam will return to the U.S. Major Leagues for the first time in three years.

The St. Louis Cardinals reached an agreement Saturday with the Korea Baseball Organization on the 38-year-old’s transfer. Under the posting system, a closed competitive bid, the Cardinals offered 101 dollars.

Though the fee is a record low, the figure holds meaning for both Choi and his Korean team, the Busan Lotte Giants.

Choi signed a preliminary deal with St. Louis in November last year, but Lotte delayed his bid by requesting that the deal be made under the posting system.

The Cardinals underwent complicated proceedings to scout an old minor league player, showing their trust in Choi’s ability.

Lotte will have the exclusive rights to Choi when he returns to Korea. The deal will be finalized when Lotte accepts the 101 dollars by Thursday, and the team is likely to do so because it has announced its willingness to let Choi go regardless of the transfer fee.

Lotte manager Jerry Royster said he will throw his weight behind Choi’s advance to the United States.

Choi went to the United States in 2006 and played for the Buffalo Bisons, the Class AAA affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. He went 8-5 with an earned run average of 2.37.

[DirtyKash]

If he's related to Hee Seop Choi, then you're screwed.

[catman]

He could be pretty decent, but who knows. Some Japanese pitchers have done well here, others have not. Koreans face similar quality opponents. I hope he can bridge the culture gap, too.

[cjkalt]

Some of these veterans must now feel good knowing they can get at least 100 bucks in this FA market

[ljshorty89]

Well, the 100 dollars was the posting, not the contract offer. Not to mention that the MLB minimum is 350,000 dollars or something around there.

[CrazyEights]

so a team basically sells his rights for 100 bucks. i bet this guys is gooooooood.

[ljshorty89]

Would you prefer Ryan Franklin again? How bout Jason Isringhausen? Any new blood can't hurt...

[CrazyEights]

oh i don't have a problem with signing him as a reliever. I doubt he will be our closer. Chris Perez or Jason Motte will likely be our closer. Franklin? Izzy? OMG No!!! Although, this new blood is a 38 year old journeyman reliever that was in the Indians farm system 2 years ago.

[love_that_reefer]

Gross!! It was good to see Joe Buck ripping the Cards for doing nothing this offseason!

[CrazyEights]

I would have loved to see the Cards do more this offseason, and I'm hoping they will still do something about the rotation. Although, as far as the bullpen goes, all is not lost. Our 2009 bullpen should be much better than the 2008 bullpen. We have many young arms that will just keep getting better.

[love_that_reefer]

Or break down since the rotation isn;t good and won;t go deep into games. All is lost as for as a closer goes.