OnlyBucs

Pirates announced this today. Will be interesting to see if he plays much. Not sure what sort of shape he can be in.

This seems odd to me. Unless....the Pirates plan not to pick up the 5.5 mil option for 2019 but still hope to re-sign him as a FA (which he would become at that point) for less. They may be trying to create some good will with this recall to increase the chances that he would re-sign for less instead of choosing to go to another organization when grated free agency.

So last season, when he was stuck in Korea, counted as time towards his free agency?

50777C5F120 wrote: So last season, when he was stuck in Korea, counted as time towards his free agency?
Apparently so.

735E53424554430300310 wrote: This seems odd to me. Unless....the Pirates plan not to pick up the 5.5 mil option for 2019 but still hope to re-sign him as a FA (which he would become at that point) for less. They may be trying to create some good will with this recall to increase the chances that he would re-sign for less instead of choosing to go to another organization when grated free agency.
I think this is absolutely the reason. We may never know but there may already be a hand shake agreement on re-signing for next year at a reduced rate (full of incentives) when the Pirates decline the option.

517C71606776612122130 wrote: So last season, when he was stuck in Korea, counted as time towards his free agency?
Apparently so.


It seems wrong, doesn't it?

1C2E22223604272E2326292E4F0 wrote: So last season, when he was stuck in Korea, counted as time towards his free agency?
Apparently so.


It seems wrong, doesn't it?


It isn't like Kang is the second coming of Nolan Arenado! Would be nice if he would sign an MiLB contract with invite to ST with an out clause if he does not on the Opening Day roster.

This is the baseball equivalent of slipping Lenin across the border in a sealed railway car.

0C2D250C272F480 wrote: So last season, when he was stuck in Korea, counted as time towards his free agency?
Apparently so.


It seems wrong, doesn't it?


It isn't like Kang is the second coming of Nolan Arenado!  Would be nice if he would sign an MiLB contract with invite to ST with an out clause if he does not on the Opening Day roster.




I agree, but just on principle but it doesn't seem like we should lose a year of contract because he was legally not allowed to play.  It's not like he was out with an injury.  But yeah, I agree with others that I bet they rework something. 

A minor league contract with an invite to ST would be perfect. He would not be on the winter roster and if he has a successful ST and makes the team we have two guys ( Kuhl and Santana ) already who will start the season on the 60 day DL so they can add Kang to the roster before the season begins.