With the lockout slowing MLB-related transactions to a crawl of minor league deals, transactions involving Korean Baseball Organization teams have taken more of a spotlight on MLBTR’s pages since the start of December. These moves have included the signings of several names familiar to North American baseball fans, as the KBO League’s clubs have looked to address their allocated three roster spots for non-Korean players. International-born players can only sign contracts worth a maximum of $1MM in total salary, and players new to the KBO League can sign only one-year pacts.
Though the Doosan Bears have one signing that still isn’t yet official, the other 29 slots have been filled. It is still possible this list could be adjusted in the coming weeks due to a number of factors — injuries, players returning to North America (for personal reasons or a deal with an MLB team), issues related to the pandemic, or teams just changing their minds after seeing the players in training camp. Here is the rundown of this winter’s international signings for the 10 KBO League franchises….
Doosan Bears
Jose Miguel Fernandez (deal not yet finalized), Ariel Miranda, Robert Stock
NC Dinos
Nick Martini, Wes Parsons, Drew Rucinski
Hanwha Eagles
Ryan Carpenter, Nick Kingham, Mike Tauchman
Lotte Giants
Charlie Barnes, DJ Peters, Glenn Sparkman
Kiwoom Heroes
Tyler Eppler, Eric Jokisch, Yasiel Puig
SSG Landers
Kevin Cron, Wilmer Font, Ivan Nova
Samsung Lions
David Buchanan, Jose Pirela, Albert Suarez
Kia Tigers
Socrates Brito, Sean Nolin, Ronnie Williams
LG Twins
Casey Kelly, Adam Plutko, Rio Ruiz
KT Wiz
William Cuevas, Odrisamer Despaigne, Henry Ramos
