Phillies finish deal for Park
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Phillies finish deal for Park
Paul Hagen
Paul Hagen reporting ...
Righthander Chan Ho Park said in a press conference in Seoul today that he has agreed to a 1-year contract with the Phillies. The deal is pending a physical, much like the agreement with leftfielder Raul Ibanez.
According to the Korea Times, Park, 35, will have a base salary of $2.5 million with incentives that could push the total package to $5 million.
There had been reports that the Phillies were close to coming to terms with Park to improve their bullpen. However, the pitcher said he opted for the Phillies in part because they viewed him as a starter.
“I was a little worried about the Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly,” he said. "But as they considered me a starter, I signed with Philadelphia.”
Cole Hamels, Brett Myers and Joe Blanton will fill three spots in the rotation. If Jamie Moyer re-signs, that would leave Park to compete with J.A. Happ, Kyle Kendrick and Carlos Carrasco for the fifth spot.
He was 4-4, 3.40 in 56 appearances for the Dodgers last season, but had a 2.16 ERA in five spot starts.
“Five teams (Giants, Diamondbacks, Royals, Blue Jays, Phillies) contacted me and the Phillies made the biggest efforts among them,” Park said. “I selected Philadelphia because they are the World Series champions and have high expectations for a playoff berth next season.”
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Also on High Cheese on this busy morning ...
Look for more later as Chase Utley meets with the media for the first time since his hip surgery. Got a question for Chase? Dave Murphy wants to know what you think the media should ask.
Plus, Chris Coste makes his first public comments on the trade the Phillies made last week to bring in another backup catcher.
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Someone's got to take Eaton's place— Phillykid25- David is spot on. He will get a "chance" to start is spring training, but he will be moved into the BP and might pick up a few spot starts here or there. Moyer will resign, and Happ/Corasco will battle it out for the 5th spot. Some of you guys are really over dramatic. He isn't a bad option coming out of the bull pen, or as a occasional spot starter.— beeron
- Chan Ho Park has sucked since 2001. And we just gave him $2.5-$5 million dollars. No room for you, Pat Burrell, but plenty of cash for mediocre has beens— HappyPete
- Here are the ERA's since 2002 throw out the 15.75 and you still looking at high 5's. 5.75,7.58,5.46,5.74,5.66,5.91,4.81,15.75,3.4 He sucks.— mopa1969
- do really need another adam eaton?— xatsmann
- Comment removed.
- man some of you people really need to read what your posting.....didn't we just win the World Series?— BrettMyers39
- Couple years ago we were hot to trot over Big Jon Garland. He's a free agent now and we have no interest? What's up with that? The numbers are there, he's finally an FA, he doesn't get hurt, he's only 28-29yrs, and throws one ground ball after another. Like a former Brit PM said to George Sr when shooting started in the Falklands, "Don't go all wobbly on me now, Georgie!" Well, don't get wobbly on us now, Rubie. Pull the trigger again. You did it with Ibanez, now do it with Garland (or another quality starter for that matter). You just saved some money from Burrell's salary and Thome's ought to be coming off the books soon. Go get a guy who can be with us for a couple of years and provide quality starts. Keep all Chan Ho in the bullpen.— jp
- I hope this was a language barrier thing..he should not be a starter for us. Im lukewarm on him as a reliever at best. How can Happ not have a good shot at the 5th spot with how he pitched the final month. I think Happ is our guy, good command & consistent. I think you give some of the young guys a shot at the 5th spot and not a veteran "name" guy. Hope this report of him starting is a mistake.— philsfan in the atx
- Does he come with an interpreter?— GANick
- relax, it's a minor move. everyone thought Madson should have been a starter and he turned out to be an amazing set up guy. if the scouting reports are true on Carasco, Happ and Kendrick are going to have a tough time getting that spot. And regardless of what people say, Kendrick won 11 games last year. After CC Sabitha, I'm not impressed with most of the free agent pitchers out there.— MichaelZoe
- Not a good signing -- Pavano has a much bigger up side and would have costed less. No guarantee with him either, but much more likely to succees.— princeton22
- good spot starters help teams win. good middle relievers help teams win. Chan Ho Park does those jobs.— ktdb05
- chan ho chan ho it's off to last place we go. Thanks so much Ruben ... you really know how to kill a party.— wcgiles
