Park Chan-ho, seen here in a file photo, will not return to the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009. / Korea Times File |
By Kang Seung-woo
Staff Reporter
The Philadelphia Phillies have said goodbye to free agent Park Chan-ho.
Phillies General Manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told the Philadelphia Inquirer newspaper Thursday (KST) that Park is probably done in the City of Brotherly Love.
``I would say (there is) very little to no chance of that happening,'' Amaro said when asked about the chances of Park returning.
The two-time reigning National League (NL) champion added veteran reliever Danny Baez to solidify its bullpen earlier this week, which all but guarantees that the 36-year-old South Korean will not return to the team.
Park declined a one-year, $3 million deal, up from the $2.5 million he made in 2009, offered by the Phillies in early December.
Despite his poor numbers in the rotation ― 7.29 ERA in seven starts, compared to 2.52 ERA in 38 appearances as a reliever ― Park still thinks he merits consideration as a starting pitcher. He also said in early December that six teams had shown interest in him and he expected negotiations to progress during the winter meetings which took place from Dec. 4 to 7.
Many Major League Baseball (MLB) teams are in search of bona-fide starting pitchers this offseason, while a replete of relievers remains on the free-agent market.
Last week, a report said that the San Francisco Giants were considering the right-hander.
The NL West team is looking for a reliever to replace Bob Howry, who went 2-6 with 10 holds and a 3.39 ERA in 2009, after he signed with the Arizona Diamondbacks last month.
Park would be reunited with a familiar face in San Francisco ― Giants manager Bruce Bochy was Park's former boss with the San Diego Padres.
The Giants, which have Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Barry Zito and Jonathan Sanchez in the rotation, can give him a chance to compete for the fifth spot, as the Phillies did last season.
In addition, the Giants are one of baseball's oldest and proudest franchises along with the Los Angeles Dodgers ― Park's former team ― in the NL West, which is something that appeals to the native of Gongju, South Chungcheong Province.
ksw@koreatimes.co.kr
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