The Twins are in the process of signing Korean slugger Byung-ho Park, Yahoo Sports reported.
Posted by Korean Baseball’s Nexen Heroes last Monday, the Twins won the right to sign Park with a $12.85 million bid and will now have 30 days to reach a contract agreement with Park.
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The 29-year-old hit 343/.436/.714 with 53 homers, 146 RBIs, 10 stolen bases last season and is former teammate of Pirates infielder Jung-ho Kang. A two-time MVP of the KBO, Park has recorded 50 homers in consecutive seasons and had posted 100 or more RBIs in four straight, averaging nearly 85 walks over that period.
With the Twins pushing for current designated hitter Miguel Sano to play left field, the club could use Park at DH and first base on days that Joe Mauer needs off.
The $12.85 million winning bid for Park was the second largest or an Asian position player, behind the $13 million the Mariners paid for Ichiro Suzuki. Kang, who was posted for $5 million last winter, slashed .287/.355/.461 with 15 homers and 58 RBIs in an impressive year with the Bucs.
The Rangers, A's, Padres, Indians, Orioles, Cardinals, Pirates and Rockies were all reportedly in the mix for Park.