TT: Something to consider when talking about Hyun Soo Kim

[Can_of_corn]

Actually, I don't think he can be optioned to the minors per his contract. Can someone confirm? What we don't know is whether or not he can choose to go back to Korea and we get out of the contract.

I recall reading that the contract he signed does not allow the O's to demote him.

[weams]

The Pirates brought Kang along pretty slowly and I think he was the better of the two. Really highlights the need to add another outfielder. I don't think Navarro was added as an OF option. I think he was added first because he has an option. Tommy Medica, with better numbers, was available last week and was not added. Second as 1B depth in case of trade. Davis being signed freed up one of the Orioles most asked about trade chips, Mancini.

Kang was the better of the two.

[Can_of_corn]

Kang was the better of the two.

They should have signed him and put him in right.

[Redskins Rick]

I recall reading that the contract he signed does not allow the O's to demote him.

Yeah, my bad.

[MrOrange82]

By no means am I saying they know how he will do. Just that they have a lot more data available.

If Buck is less than optimistic about Kim's chances, I don't think he'd supply those thoughts to the press. Regardless of how much information he does/doesn't have on hand to appraise Kim's skills.

[Can_of_corn]

If Buck is less than optimistic about Kim's chances, I don't think he'd supply those thoughts to the press. Regardless of how much information he does/doesn't have on hand to appraise Kim's skills.

I agree. Buck could have been less enthusiastic or not talked about it at all.

I'm expecting 1-2 wins of production. Nothing significant but a solid value.

[MrOrange82]

I agree. Buck could have been less enthusiastic or not talked about it at all.

I'm expecting 1-2 wins of production. Nothing significant but a solid value.

In the era of brain-melting, mega contracts, I'd be more than fine with 1-2 wins for Kim's salary. Not counting on it, but hopeful.

[Tx Oriole]

I don't think we signed him for $3.5 mm/yr with the idea that he was going to sit on the bench. Obviously we will see how he looks in spring training, but unless he flat out shows he can't play, I expect to see him get the majority of starts in LF for the first month or two of the season.

I sure hope he does well.

[twinedenter]

If he doesn't pan out, I think DD has shown a willingness to DFA a player and bring in another body, as oppose to being stuck with them for the season, because they are under contract.

In Kim's case, they can option him quickly to AAA.

Hmm DD didn't do that last year when it was obvious to EVERYONE that he missed on all his garbage pickups. Unless you count Lake, who was obviously a salary dump, he didn't add anyone until the break. By then of course, it was far too late.

He did however, release most of the turds he tried to pass off as major league outfielders. It's a shame he didn't learn from that mistake as he is trying the same thing for 2016.

[Tony-OH]

Personally, unless he implodes during spring training, I think he's going to get the majority of starts in LF through the first month or two. If he struggles, I could see his playing time lesson. DD has shown in the past that he's willing to eat bad contracts so if he's terrible I don't see Buck keep running him out there for an entire season.

I'm honestly interested in seeing how his numbers translate while playing in the AL East.

[MrOrange82]

Hmm DD didn't do that last year when it was obvious to EVERYONE that he missed on all his garbage pickups. Unless you count Lake, who was obviously a salary dump, he didn't add anyone until the break. By then of course, it was far too late.

He did however, release most of the turds he tried to pass off as major league outfielders. It's a shame he didn't learn from that mistake as he is trying the same thing for 2016.

#CANDAN

#NotTwitter

[weams]

Personally, unless he implodes during spring training, I think he's going to get the majority of starts in LF through the first month or two. If he struggles, I could see his playing time lesson. DD has shown in the past that he's willing to eat bad contracts so if he's terrible I don't see Buck keep running him out there for an entire season.

I'm honestly interested in seeing how his numbers translate while playing in the AL East.

Likewise. No one thought Chen could pitch in the AL East either.

[MDtransplant757]

Likewise. No one thought Chen could pitch in the AL East either.

I think about this for when we talk about Kim. I think he'll be great, but the again we'll see

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[Roll Tide]

A lot of folks, including myself have penciled in Hyun Soo Kim when making out potential everyday lineups for the Orioles in 2016. Honestly, part of the reason I've put him in those lineups without seeing him play is mostly due to the fact of limited other options.

However, there are some red flags that make me wonder whether Kim will end more of a 4th outfielder/DH more than an everyday guy. Sure, the 28-year old Kim comes over after posting gaudy .326/.438/.541/.979 slash line with a career best 28 home runs and 101 walks in 630 PAs. That seems great until you see that former Orioles farm hand Eric Thames, who put up a robust .252/.315/.356/.671 slash line at Norfolk in 2013, basically is Barry Bonds in Korea after slashing .381/.497/.790/1.288 with 47 home runs, 103 walks and 40 stolen bases. Honestly, if we are going off of stats, maybe the Orioles should have signed Thames to a minor league contract since he outperformed Kim and is only 14 moths older.

The KBO has a wide mix of players, but most consider the talent level to be somewhere in the vicinity of High-A ball to AA. Nothing against Thames, but when he can suddenly put up Barry Bonds-esque numbers you definitely have to wonder about the talent level.

The next concern is Kim's reported weight of 240 pounds when he signed. Not exactly known as a defensive whiz, Kim's reported weight in the KBO was around 210 so either it was under reported or he's eaten a lot of kimchee late. I've never seen the guy play and I know it's being reported that Brady Anderson is working with him this offseason, but a 6-2, 240 pound guy who plays LF in the KBO does not make me think he's going to be plus defender. I could be wrong, but it's a concern.

Add in the fact that the Orioles signed him relatively cheaply (2ys/7mil) and you have to think there wasn't a ton of teams breaking down his door to come to America.

I think his contract is worth a shot and his upside is that he could be a decent OBP guy, but at the same time, we might be getting ahead of ourselves if we start assuming he's the full-time left fielder.

I think we have some hope considering Kim's success on the national stage. This guy just looks like a ball player to me.

[Tony-OH]

[video=youtube;VvHyPTjj3qU]

Note the left field and right field foul poles are at 100M, or 300 feet. Most american high school outfield fences are going to be longer than this stadium in the video.