Pittsburgh Pirates Win Rights to Negotiate with Korean Shortstop

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won negotiating rights for Jung-Ho Kang, a shortstop from South Korea. The Pirates will now have 30-days to sign the power hitter.

"The Pirates are pleased to have secured the opportunity to attempt to add Kang, Jung Ho to our system and look forward to commencing discussions with the player and his representative in an effort to make that happen," Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in a statement.

Kang played for the Nexen Heroes last year and hit .354 with 39 homeruns over 117 games. He was named the MVP of the Korean Baseball Organization.

According to South Korea's Yonhap News Agency, if the Pirates can successfully sign Kang, they will have to give the Nexen Heroes a posting fee of $5,002,015. If they fail to sign Kang, the shortstop's rights will stay with the Heroes and Kang will remain in Korea.

Early reports are suggesting that Kang could get a three or four year deal worth around $5 million per year. Although $5 million sounds like a lot for an unproven talent, Kang's asking price is low when compared to the salary of a league's semi-average middle infielder. Kang reportedly made $380,000 last season.

The Pirates have a strong infield but could use extra depth behind second baseman Neil Walker and shortstop Jordy Mercer. Kang, who is a versatile player, can play shortstop or at second base. However, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America, Kang's ability to produce huge numbers in the majors is still unknown.

Badler wrote, "Scouts were skeptical of Kang's skill set translating into an everyday role in the majors. Kang is strong and has average raw power, with a chance for 15-20 home runs if he plays every day ... He doesn't have the range to play shortstop in the majors, and scouts also expressed concerns about his ability to make the routine plays ... there's enough potential at the plate for him to be an offensive-oriented utility player who starts his U.S. career in the majors."

The Mets, Giants, A's, Twins and Cardinals had all shown early interest in the bidding war for the rights to negotiate with the shortstop.