OnlyBucs

Not sure of the specific reason for his release. Attitude, work-ethic, issues with his visa to the DR, or maybe it was just his putrid statistics:



AB H HR RBI BB SO BA OPS

DR 2017 84 12 1 10 8 31 .143 .421



AAA 2016 48 7 2 7 7 11 .146 .516



As shown in the line above, Kang also stunk in his 20 game rehab in Indy last spring. His first game back to the majors he hit 2HR in St. Louis. His stats actually stayed strong until mid-summer after his hotel issue in Chicago.



I guess my point is, he is a viable asset. IF he comes back, ship him to Indy or elsewhere until he figures it out. If he never does...well cross that bridge in the summer.



Dealing with the Kang the person/player is going to take some patience. Dealing with the spot at 3B will be much more pressing.

As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.

072A27363120377774450 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.

21060D2E630 wrote: I know he's not earning service time or being paid now, but he's still got two years left on his contract. How does that work? If the Bucs release him, will they still be on the hook for that?



ETA Can they release him while he's still on the restricted list?


According to John Dreker from Pirates Prospects in the comments section of his article on Kang release from Dominican League team, Kang is signed for specific seasons.



From that statement by Dreker I assume he was signed for 2015-2018. So he fulfilled his first two years in 2015 and 2016, his third year even though he was on the restricted list in 2017 and 2018 would be his last season on the contract. The Buccos can either let him go and pay the buyout amount or if he does not get a visa for 2018 they just put him back on the restricted list and let him walk after sitting out 2018.



I would gladly invite anyone out there to do some research and see if my explanation holds any water.

69626A666362793C3A4D746C656262236E620D0 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.


LOL ... the dude missed an entire year due to shear stupidness and struggles mightily in winter ball and he would be our best option? That is why this organization shouldn't think they are contenders or have a chance. We need an upgrade.

55454473656569060 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.


LOL ... the dude missed an entire year due to shear stupidness and struggles mightily in winter ball and he would be our best option?  That is why this organization shouldn't think they are contenders or have a chance.  We need an upgrade.
If he came back like before, he would be our best option. I hope that you are still reading, because the odds of that happening at this point are likely in the hitting the 'pick 4' daily number range. If the powers that be are including him in their plans at all, they're wrong.



I wonder if he's a raging alkie, drinking whenever he's got downtime. He sure screwed up his life.

143F333A3F3E6469500 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.


LOL ... the dude missed an entire year due to shear stupidness and struggles mightily in winter ball and he would be our best option?  That is why this organization shouldn't think they are contenders or have a chance.  We need an upgrade.
If he came back like before, he would be our best option.  I hope that you are still reading, because the odds of that happening at this point are likely in the hitting the 'pick 4' daily number range.  If the powers that be are including him in their plans at all, they're wrong.



I wonder if he's a raging alkie, drinking whenever he's got downtime.  He sure screwed up his life.




I'm not sure if it'd be worse if he were an actual diagnosed alcoholic with a medical problem, or your typical run-of-the-mill idiot who think the rules don't apply to him

7B6B6A5D4B4B47280 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.


LOL ... the dude missed an entire year due to shear stupidness and struggles mightily in winter ball and he would be our best option?  That is why this organization shouldn't think they are contenders or have a chance.  We need an upgrade.


You don't think Kang is a good baseball player? Do you also look at winter ball stats over major league stats?



Why is Kang different from other players who miss entire years due to an injury or a suspension?

2229212D2829327771063F272E2929682529460 wrote: As I understand it, it's not unusual for these winter league teams to release struggling players. They take their baseball seriously and don't see themselves as having an obligation to let struggling players work out the kinks at the expense of the team.


Right. They are there to win. Players get sent home all the time due to their play. Kang coming back would be huge. He would be the team's best option at 3B.


LOL ... the dude missed an entire year due to shear stupidness and struggles mightily in winter ball and he would be our best option?  That is why this organization shouldn't think they are contenders or have a chance.  We need an upgrade.


You don't think Kang is a good baseball player?  Do you also look at winter ball stats over major league stats?



Why is Kang different from other players who miss entire years due to an injury or a suspension?


Sadly, he's different due to self-destructive behavior, a failure to learn from past mistakes, and an apparent substance abuse issue.

I'm with you though, Kang is a big talent, and his loss is just about the biggest disappointment since 1992. Hell of a player, great story, terrific loss to the team just when he was needed most. I'm not optimistic about his chances at this point. Hell, even if he did play up to his previous level, he still might not be allowed back into the states to play.



I still wonder, if he hadn't been injured, if we avoid the Wild Card with his contributions the rest of the way, or maybe somehow win it with him. Holy crap, but Arrieta was unstoppable that season.

Not everyone who gets a DUI has a substance abuse problem. The two previous DUIs didn't affect his play.



I don't expect him back this year, but that doesn't mean he lost his talent. Yes, he screwed up personally and he hurt the Pirates too. I would still take him back with open arms.



So, I guess you think Kang is still a good baseball player? I'm surprised people will look at his winter ball stats and think he can no longer play.