Pirates reportedly on verge of 4-year deal with Kang
The Pirates are reportedly close to officially signing Korean shortstop
Jung-ho Kang to a four-year deal.
CBS Sports reported on Friday that the two sides are "moving close to a deal
" as the Jan. 20 deadline approaches. The Pirates already spent $5 million
as a fee to negotiate with Kang and his agent, Alan Nero.
Nero told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette on Wednesday that he was "confident
we'll come to an agreement" on Kang, the power-hitting 27-year-old who
reportedly is seeking a contract worth $5 million annually.
Kang hit 40 homers and drove in 117 runs in 117 games while batting .356
with a 1.198 OPS for the Nexen Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization
last year.
It's still unclear where Kang will fit in with Pittsburgh if the two sides
complete a deal. He could back up Josh Harrison at third base, Jordy Mercer
at shortstop and Neil Walker at second, and he could be a part of the mix
at first base.
Adam Berry is a reporter for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter at @adamdberry.
This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its
clubs.
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