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Pittsburgh Pirates Win Jung-Ho Kang Bid, Infielder Who Hit 40 Home Runs

ByBryan Rose|
Mar 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates hat and glove lay in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 21, 2014; Tampa, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates hat and glove lay in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

The Pittsburgh Pirates have won the bidding on shortstop Jung-Ho Kang, who hit 40 home runs last season in Korea.

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No, playing in the Korean League isn’t the same as Major League Baseball, but if you can hit 40 home runs against at any level, people will take notice.

That’s why so many teams were said to put in a bid on shortstop Jung-Ho Kang in recent weeks, though it’s the Pittsburgh Pirates who came away as victors in the process.

Of course, winning the bid is just the first part of the process as now the Pittsburgh Pirates will need to agree to terms on a contract with Jung-Ho Kang before they can officially add him to their roster. That might be easier said than done however as many times we often see players get claimed in the bidding process though struggle to find middle ground on a contract.

As for Kang’s ability, there have been significant questions about his defense, especially at the shortstop position. However, offensively he’s a marvel as he not only clubbed 40 home runs last season but also hit an extremely impressive 40 home runs while driving in 117 RBI.

Are the stats inflated because of where he played? Most certainly, but if you can hit, you can hit anywhere and that’s something the Pittsburgh Pirates are hoping will stay true with Jung-Ho Kang.

That rings especially true after they watched Jordy Mercer hit a woeful .255 last season.

The 27-year-old will now do what he can to workout a deal with the Pirates or return to the Nexen Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization.

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