Twins agree to 4-year deal with Byung-ho Park
The Minnesota Twins finalized a deal with Korean slugger Byung-ho Park on Tuesday, a step that helps address the team's mediocre offense from a season ago.
After submitting a successful bid of $12.85 million last month, the two sides agreed to a four-year, $12-million contract that includes a $6.5-million club option for 2020. Including the posting fee, the Twins' investment in Park totals $24.85 million, provided his option is not exercised.
| Year | Salary |
|---|---|
| 2016 | $2.75M |
| 2017 | $2.75M |
| 2018 | $3M |
| 2019 | $3M |
| 2020* | $6.5M |
*2020 option includes a $500,000 buyout
The 29-year-old led the hitter-friendly KBO with 53 home runs and 146 RBIs, slashing .343/.436/.714 over 140 games. Park, who made his KBO debut in 2005, led the league in home runs four times while also earning the MVP award in 2012 and 2013.
"I will do the best I can, feeling proud of being in the league with the greatest players in the world," Park told reporters last week. "There will be difficulties along the way but I will try to adjust."
Park's role with the Twins remains somewhat unsettled at this point, though. He is expected to see time at first base, in addition to designated hitter. However, Joe Mauer is still slated to be the club's primary first baseman, while Miguel Sano smacked 18 homers with a .916 OPS as Minnesota's go-to DH. Though Sano could see time in left field in 2016, Kennys Vargas is another candidate to see time in the DH role.
"I have no problem being the DH," Park said. "Obviously, I prefer to take the field but I also have to make adjustments in a new environment."