Jung-Ho Kang?

[A Boy Named Seo]

The internet sez Korean shortstop Jung-Ho Kang was posted yesterday and bids must be submitted by Friday, the 19th.

The internet also sez that the fee will likely be $10-15 million and he wants a contract in the neighborhood of 3/24, making the whole tab ~$34-$39M for 3 years ($11.33-$13M per).

He's right-handed, 27-years old, and mashed in the hitter's paradise of the KBO (.354/.457/.733, 39 home runs) but the Mets (and other teams) are unsure how both his bat and glove will play in America.

I think he's very intriguing (maybe because I really know jack shit about him). If his MLB ceiling ends up being "good" Jed Lowrie, is that enough? If he is something less than a monster, then we've got a fairly expensive (but potentially useful) guy who could prob play 4 infield spots, spelling Wright, whoever the shortstop ends up being in 2016, and maybe getting some starts at 2B and the odd one at first. Worth the risk? Or overpriced utility guy?

Do you Kang or do you abstain?

[Edgy MD]

You shouldn't have left me a "not sure" option, because I'm really not sure. You've got to trust your scouts on this one.

He certainly wallops the ball, but he looks to be a mistake hitter in a league where mistakes are more frequent.

[A Boy Named Seo]

Yup, 'not sure' is sort of a given, isn't it? Should've left that off.

If there were still more attractive options available today, I don't think I'm as into him. With the barren landscape, though, I'm leaning yes.

[seawolf17]

At that rate, I'd go for it.

[Ceetar]

A lot seem to be saying he can't play the position.

[A Boy Named Seo]

That's the risky part! NO ONE KNOWS!! Jump or don't jump!?!

[Guest d'Kong76]

Took not sure. If they're interested, they'll likely get
outbid by another small market teams anyways.

[Guest themetfairy]

What about Kodos?

[batmagadanleadoff]

As if ....

[Edgy MD]

Reduced to a Yes/No answer, I'm going with No. The team needs to get at-bats for Flores, and if second and third are closed, then shortstop let it be. The downside is risky, but the potential reward his high. They have safer selections elsewhere. I don't mind them rolling the dice a little at short and having a backup plan or three in place.

[Lefty Specialist]

I said no. I think he's a creature of his league, where everybody's a great hitter. I don't think it'll translate well. Plus with the doubts as to whether SS is his true position, I just don't see why they should bother.

[Benjamin Grimm]

I voted yes, with my yes meaning they should put in a reasonable bid. If they're outbid, so be it. If they win the bidding, then try to sign Kang. 2015 would be the year you try him at shortstop. If it turns out he can hit, but is better suited for second base, then you slide him over there next year. Or trade him.

[Frayed Knot]

Well I say yes. There is more money potential in foreign infielders than anything else we�re looking at now. If we don�t sign them somebody else will, maybe one of the other five NL East teams, maybe all of them. And with the money they�ll earn via extra TV rights and merchandising they�ll be able to buy more lineup and bullpen power, then they�ll come after us. Right now we have the young pitching and the farm system and they�re the best things to have. But foreign infielders are a thing of the future and if we don�t get a piece of that action we risk everything we have. Not now, but ten years from now.


Next scene: Agent Borazzo enters ...

[TransMonk]

Benjamin Grimm wrote: I voted yes, with my yes meaning they should put in a reasonable bid. If they're outbid, so be it. If they win the bidding, then try to sign Kang. 2015 would be the year you try him at shortstop. If it turns out he can hit, but is better suited for second base, then you slide him over there next year. Or trade him.

This seems very reasonable to me.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

You have to figure the potential of a Korean star in Flushing could be well-worth the payout if he's good, but you're back to the question of whether he's any good.

[Vic Sage]

If he hits enough but can't play SS, then move him to 2b after Murphy leaves next year. If he can't hit or field well enough, then you move on. A big market team can afford the $30m to find out, but the Mets? Probably not.

[Guest John Cougar Lunchbucket]

On further thought I'd be very surprised if they go after this guy inasmuch as best-case he's a kind of Flores but older and more expensive.

I've thought all along the Mets would go for a SS with the idea of having him be a LH hitting lead off guy, moving Flores to 2B, and trading Muffy. I sort of still think they do that.

[Zvon]

A shortstop who does not like to dive to catch baseballs? I'll pass.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Why does this thread even exist? Is this guy willing to pay the Mets to play?

[Edgy MD]

John Cougar Lunchbucket wrote: On further thought I'd be very surprised if they go after this guy inasmuch as best-case he's a kind of Flores but older and more expensive.

That's what I'm thinking.

[Ceetar]

batmagadanleadoff wrote: Why does this thread even exist? Is this guy willing to pay the Mets to play?

That's about what it might take to get financial value equal to his production.

[Vic Sage]

I've thought all along the Mets would go for a SS with the idea of having him be a LH hitting lead off guy, moving Flores to 2B, and trading Muffy. I sort of still think they do that.

i still HOPE they do that. And i don't care which side of the plate he hits from, as long as he doesn't have much of a platoon differential, with at least a .330 OB%, and can run well enough to put himself in scoring position, and is hard to throw out going 1st-3rd or at the plate. And is a good defensive SS. And it would be nice if he had some power, but thats not a necessity.

But who meets these criteria? Very few. In fact, the only leadoff-hitting SS in baseball over the past 3 seasons that approaches these criteria and is still active and able to bat leadoff is...

...a guy named Reyes.

why don't we get THAT guy?

[seawolf17]

Vic Sage wrote: I've thought all along the Mets would go for a SS with the idea of having him be a LH hitting lead off guy, moving Flores to 2B, and trading Muffy. I sort of still think they do that. i still HOPE they do that. And i don't care which side of the plate he hits from, as long as he doesn't have much of a platoon differential, with at least a .330 OB%, and can run well enough to put himself in scoring position, and is hard to throw out going 1st-3rd or at the plate. And is a good defensive SS. And it would be nice if he had some power, but thats not a necessity. But who meets these criteria? Very few. In fact, the only leadoff-hitting SS in baseball over the past 3 seasons that approaches these criteria and is still active and able to bat leadoff is... ...a guy named Reyes. why don't we get THAT guy?

I have been beating, and will continue to beat, the Reyes drum as well.

[batmagadanleadoff]

Why does the next Mets SS also have to be a lead-off hitter? I realize that given the way the team is constructed, they'd kill two birds with one stone if they could find that guy. But these days, you'd be grateful for having a SS that merely doesn't embarrass himself with the bat. For some reason, okay, a lot of reasons, I'm not confident that it'll be the Mets coming up with the next leadoff hitting SS.

[Benjamin Grimm]

Reports today suggest that a Mets bid for Kang is "unlikely."

[Guest Mets Guy in Michigan]

Zvon wrote: A shortstop who does not like to dive to catch baseballs? I'll pass.

The Yankees just retired the number of a guy like that.

[Ceetar]

Mets Guy in Michigan wrote: Zvon wrote: A shortstop who does not like to dive to catch baseballs? I'll pass. The Yankees just retired the number of a guy like that.

yeah, but he's not better than what we have either.

[Lefty Specialist]

Vic Sage wrote: If he hits enough but can't play SS, then move him to 2b after Murphy leaves next year. If he can't hit or field well enough, then you move on. A big market team can afford the $30m to find out, but the Mets? Probably not.

Isn't this exactly how Kaz Matsui played out?

[Ceetar]

Lefty Specialist wrote: Vic Sage wrote: If he hits enough but can't play SS, then move him to 2b after Murphy leaves next year. If he can't hit or field well enough, then you move on. A big market team can afford the $30m to find out, but the Mets? Probably not. Isn't this exactly how Kaz Matsui played out?

I'm more concerned about the 650 AB cost than the $30m cost.

[ashie62]

I keep thinking Kaz Matsui.