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Monday, December 15, 2008
Phillies finish deal for Park
Free agent pitcher Park Chan-ho speaks during a press conference in Seoul, today. The 35-year-old said that he had signed with the Philadelphia Phillies. (Yonhap)

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.”

*

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.


Posted by Paul Hagen @ 9:38 AM  Permalink | 80 comments
80
Comments   
Posted 10:38 AM, 12/16/2008
benjyedwards
I guess we've given up on Adam Eaton. Doesn't seem right.
Posted 11:21 PM, 12/15/2008
KINGOFZED
Calm down (scorpio27) they said they would give him a shot to get the job. Just like that chick at Chickie's said she might give you her number if you bought all her drink. This guy better be wearing his dancing shoes or he'll end up pitching the sloppy seconds.
Posted 10:42 PM, 12/15/2008
GoPhils
So what's going on, the Phils win the World Series and pick up a bunch of fans like Mantle and Puckhead who don't know anything about baseball?
Posted 10:05 PM, 12/15/2008
jkl7411
is chan ho park near hunting park or willow grove park or closer to the 38th pararell
Posted 03:50 PM, 12/15/2008
Kommonsense
This is not a terrible move for the pen. He will NOT be a starter. But he throws 97 and he can be a decent righty in our pen for middle relief purposes. Especially on the road, in pitcher friendly parks.
Posted 02:46 PM, 12/15/2008
Evan
Okay, I can see there are a few here not paying attention, not that I have to explain myself to any of you but I understand how arbitration, free agency, etc works. Just note, you will be the same people crying when they throw Park in there and gets lit up like a firework or comes in from the pen and blows the game for the Phillies. Save the d*mn money and use it to pay Howard, Hamels, etc. or put it away in case of an emergency.
Posted 02:31 PM, 12/15/2008
androoo
To compare salaries of Hamels and Park is ridiculous. I'm not talking about because of talent (obviously Hamels deserves more), but the fact that they are both in different areas in their career. Hamels only got paid $500,000 last year because he is not eligible for free agency yet. Think before you post. Again, everyone just needs to calm down and not over react. Phils just inked Moyer to 2 years, so Park's not starting. By the way people are commenting, you'd think everyone at the parade would be lined up on the bridges ready to jump off!
Posted 02:26 PM, 12/15/2008
93phils
Good season last year as a reliver. Could turn out to be a quality 4th or 5th starter. 1 year $2.5 mill is a steal! Those are deals you give pitchers with questionable futures (which is what Adam Eaton should have been given)
Posted 02:09 PM, 12/15/2008
BirdsSuck
The Phils just signed Moyer for 2 years also, as reported on 610WIP.
Posted 02:08 PM, 12/15/2008
Evan
I am aware of how the business works, thank you. But to give that much to a guy thats at the end of his rope and is not Jamie Moyer by any means is ridiculous. Especally if he's not guaranteed a spot in the rotation. I would've rather them get a Daniel Cabrera from Baltimore or just let the kids fight it out for the final spot. Don't just spend money for the h*ll of it. That's just dumb.
Posted 02:02 PM, 12/15/2008
gtb513
If he doewn't work out as a starter? All I can rememeber about him is him getting lit up. What's he gonna do, pitch batting practice?
Posted 01:59 PM, 12/15/2008
Gary Varsho
Evan - 2.5 million is a minor move. You can't compare to Hamels getting $500k last year, different circumstances. Hamels is under their control and they didn't have to pay him more money - its the way the business works. Free agents get more money than guys who aren't even eligible for arbitration yet.
Posted 01:51 PM, 12/15/2008
vnhayes
park is a joke. nice move ruben. I can't believe you would sign this guy. lets not give Jamie another 2 million for what he has done, instead lets sign a washed up fraud who will get rocked pitching at our wiffle ball park. BAD MOVE
Posted 01:50 PM, 12/15/2008
drdave
So much for the phillies plans to hire Gillick for a few years so people would give Amaro a chance instead of seeing him as Ed Wade Jr. How about giving the guy's roster a chance before predicting last place finishes.
Posted 01:47 PM, 12/15/2008
barcelona fan
depressing to see how little slack the expressive ones are cutting this World Series Champion team. Give 'em a break.
Posted 01:45 PM, 12/15/2008
Evan
RELAX???? Sorry I didn't know 2.5 Million for a year was minor. They give Hamels 500,000 last year but give this hasbeen 2.5 million and your telling us to relax. Buy somes glasses people.
Posted 01:39 PM, 12/15/2008
PhillyInVa
We gave Park 2.5 Mil and we haven't come to terms with our '08 winningest pitcher (moyer) or extended a MUCH better contract to the NLCS and WS MVP?? Are we done with Moyer? Are we still pursuing Lowe? I guess this signing comes with many more questions than answers????
Posted 01:35 PM, 12/15/2008
Discostu
We are building pitching inventory...he's not horrible. He'll be a spot starter/releif pitcher...Relax we just won the world series. Reuben bashing has to stop...
Posted 01:32 PM, 12/15/2008
bung
Whatever. He can eat some innings and would you rather put him out there or Adam "been" Eaton or Joe "been eaton more" Blanton? It would be nice to get another lefty though.
Posted 01:22 PM, 12/15/2008
pgcd3
Exactly drdave. This fans embarrass themselves with constant overreaction. These are the types of solid moves Gillick made.
Posted 01:19 PM, 12/15/2008
wcgiles
chan ho chan ho it's off to last place we go. Thanks so much Ruben ... you really know how to kill a party.
Posted 01:17 PM, 12/15/2008
ktdb05
good spot starters help teams win. good middle relievers help teams win. Chan Ho Park does those jobs.
Posted 01:16 PM, 12/15/2008
princeton22
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.
Posted 01:15 PM, 12/15/2008
MichaelZoe
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.
Posted 01:04 PM, 12/15/2008
GANick
Does he come with an interpreter?
Posted 01:04 PM, 12/15/2008
philsfan in the atx
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.
Posted 01:03 PM, 12/15/2008
jp
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.
Posted 01:02 PM, 12/15/2008
BrettMyers39
man some of you people really need to read what your posting.....didn't we just win the World Series?
Comment removed.
Posted 01:01 PM, 12/15/2008
xatsmann
do really need another adam eaton?
Posted 01:01 PM, 12/15/2008
mopa1969
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.
Posted 12:57 PM, 12/15/2008
HappyPete
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
Posted 12:56 PM, 12/15/2008
beeron
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.
Posted 12:56 PM, 12/15/2008
Phillykid25
Someone's got to take Eaton's place
Comment removed.
Posted 12:53 PM, 12/15/2008
David Halpren
Man Phillies fans can be overreactive idiots sometimes. Chan Ho Park is an emergency 5th starter at best. He'll be the long relief man in the pen. They'll give him a shot in spring training to be a starter as a courtesy (and he'll fail) and then he'll be put in the pen. Moyer will be the 4th starter and Haap most likely the 5th....everyone relax.
Posted 12:43 PM, 12/15/2008
Joseph DeSantis
Hi Ho, Hi Ho, it's back to last place we go!
Posted 12:16 PM, 12/15/2008
phineas
CHAN Ho Ho HO Park ? I hope it's the name of a ball field in Korea, and not a less than mediocre pitcher. Kendrick is a better starter than this goof. Get real Philadelphia !
Posted 12:16 PM, 12/15/2008
Russ
If this guy is worth up to $5 million then Hamels is worth $50 mil.
Posted 12:14 PM, 12/15/2008
Evan
Way to go Ruben. You had me from being a fan of yours with the signing of Ibanez to what the h*ll are you thinking in signing Park. Here is another man looking for a job year after year, does that not tell you something. I think it's also a slap in the face to Kyle Kendrick and J.A. Happ for having confidence in them to battle it out for the final spot alone. After what they did for this organization last year. I know they weren't "light's out", no pun intended but Kendrick got you 11 wins and Happ also contributed positively and this is the thanks they get. And signing one 35+ year old was enough, we do not need any more.
Posted 12:11 PM, 12/15/2008
reddevil
No down side to this signing, ownership only has to part with our money from ticket sales. Let's see if the guy has anything left before we trash him (remember Eaton for 3 years, we are still paying that guy).....I want to see a middle infielder backup better than Eric and one more 200 inning starter free agent signing ruben
Posted 12:10 PM, 12/15/2008
bird11
RELAX - This is the 2009 version of Chad Durbin. He gets a shot at the #5 spot in the rotation and if not he is a reliever who can pitched multiple innings out of the pen - an upgrade from Rudy Seanez.
Posted 12:04 PM, 12/15/2008
Will.i.Am
i think its a solid addition, no complaints here
Posted 12:02 PM, 12/15/2008
downtheshore
Middle relief? Didn't the Phils rally on him this year? Was he effective? Or does he work cheap??
Posted 11:58 AM, 12/15/2008
Fredclaims
Muntader al-Zaidi has a better arm than this guy!
Posted 11:46 AM, 12/15/2008
WildBill
good move - decent arm at a bargain price, hopefully R.A. Jr has more in store this off-season
Posted 11:46 AM, 12/15/2008
visionbrkr
they had better end up with Moyer and Lowe and this guy can compete with Happ and Carrasco for the 5th spot. If not the phantom ownership will get an earful. World Championship or no World Championship this would be ridiculous.
Posted 11:41 AM, 12/15/2008
Ryan
Great, now we have a Japanese version of Adam Eaton to go along with the original version.
Posted 11:23 AM, 12/15/2008
longshanks
He gives up the long ball. Bad move.
Posted 11:07 AM, 12/15/2008
androoo
drdave- right on. People need to just calm down. No one ever said he was going to be a started except PARK. He's just hoping, it doesn't necessarily mean he's going to be the starter or that we've given up on Moyer or another starter. Calm down. Enjoy the holidays.
Posted 11:06 AM, 12/15/2008
commissioner_gordon
I think it's a good move to shore up the bullpen. When should we tell him there's no chance he'll start?
Posted 10:53 AM, 12/15/2008
Mark1npt
Park a few years ago, was a washed up guy. He increased his fastball from 88 to 92 mph last season and had nice success. Durbin got burned out by the all star break last year having to pitch multiple innings every day Myer or Eaton started (and was gone by the 4th-5th inning)......if indeed we are going to re-sign Moyer we need another pitcher like Park in the pen and if Moyer breaks down at 46yo Park can start in his place. A great signing for this team. It puts him in the right place at the right time with the right team. Good move Rube!
Posted 10:51 AM, 12/15/2008
Mark1npt
Park a few years ago, was a washed up guy. He increased his fastball from 88 to 92 mph last season and had nice success. Durbin got burned out by the all star break last year having to pitch multiple innings every day Myer or Eaton started (and was gone by the 4th-5th inning)......if indeed we are going to re-sign Moyer we need another pitcher like Park in the pen and if Moyer breaks down at 46yo Park can start in his place. A great signing for this team. It puts him in the right place at the right time with the right team. Good move Rube!
Posted 10:48 AM, 12/15/2008
scotty82
It's a depth signing people. You act like we haven't won a World Series.
Posted 10:46 AM, 12/15/2008
fyreknight
Yeah, why is all so cranky?? We are at least making moves, all the moves are an upgrade to what we had... and be this no surprise, the Phillies had Park signed over a week ago in all the papers... I thought the deal fell through because it took so long. Its a good move.. If you had to choose Condrey or Park, who you pitching in long relief? Haap and Park can both fill (share) the #5 slot while the other works from the bullpen, it gives us match-up advantages now. If we need a lefty, we can throw Happ, if we want a righty instead, we throw Park... sounds all good to me, as the other moves to the pen, both are good long relievers as well.... Because this is a 1 year deal, I think the Phillies are just making sure Happ has 1 more full year in before making him a bonefide starter...
Posted 10:42 AM, 12/15/2008
tjc
Just call him Chad Ho Durbin...it's a GOOD SIGNING.
Posted 10:42 AM, 12/15/2008
MrMayhem
Charlie wants Moyer back.. SIGN HIM !
Posted 10:41 AM, 12/15/2008
fyreknight
He made comments about pitching in CBP, easy enough... when he makes those "spot" starts, make sure they are on the road... problem solved. Its a good signing, 1 year 2.5 million - I LOVE incentive based deals... makes them go out and EARN the rest!!! And if they do, its for the betterment of the club.
Posted 10:40 AM, 12/15/2008
SteveV
Lots of cranky babies on this comment page this morning.
Posted 10:38 AM, 12/15/2008
fyreknight
Thinking out loud here... Now that Park is signed, it now gives us legit trade bait with Happ and Kendrick, perhaps the signing of Park was to make sure we could deal one (or both) to aquire a right handed hitter that's not a free agent, or a super utility guy that can play 2b while utley is out, and OF as a righty... just a thought. In any case, our pitching depth just got a lot fuller, and you can NEVER have enough arms...
Posted 10:37 AM, 12/15/2008
tjc
Of course they told him he'd have a "chance" to start - this guy will be a reliever, and I think its a great signing. I liken it to Chad Durbin being told he had a "chance" to start last season - where would this year's team have been without Durbin? Not in the W.S.
Posted 10:36 AM, 12/15/2008
scorpio27
maybe something got garbled in translation. does ruben speak korean?
Posted 10:34 AM, 12/15/2008
fyreknight
2.16 ERA in 5 starts. Sounds good to me, better than Kendrick. WHEN we sign Moyer or Lowe, then we have the best pitching in the NL, maybe all of Baseball... wow, did I really say that! We already have the NL's BEST Offense, and BEST Bullpen... 1 more starter.. Moyer or Lowe... and we'll be 3 for 3.. right now as it stands, we now have the 2nd best rotation next to the Cubs...
Posted 10:34 AM, 12/15/2008
bobbyuk
Amaro said he was looking for a RH reliever to give him multiple innings out of the bullpen--Park gives them that. Or don't you guys think that a 2.16 ERA as a starter is that good??? Or that a 3.40 ERA as a long reliever isn't good either???
Posted 10:32 AM, 12/15/2008
phillyjhawk
Way to go Amaro. Sign a has been.
Posted 10:28 AM, 12/15/2008
drdave
jeeze people calm down...they'll let him compete for a spot in the rotation and if he doesn't earn one he'll be a solid arm in the bullpen. This isn't instead of signing moyer or lowe...
Posted 10:22 AM, 12/15/2008
inquisitor
Just realize, the Phillies are not a "bottomless pit" of money like the Yankees, RedSox, Mets & Cubs. Park & Ibanez are like a fill for Burrell's $$$. Plus they have all these arbs to settle. As long as we still have guys like Jenkins/Eatsh@t on payroll or until they ever raise the salary bar, this is it.
Posted 10:14 AM, 12/15/2008
Hellrazor
I'm truly hoping that we still sign Lowe or Moyer...this cant be their replacement....
Posted 10:14 AM, 12/15/2008
davetheherman
I remember watching this guy a few months ago. And I was impressed...with the Phillies.
Posted 10:11 AM, 12/15/2008
TR
he is fine, not a harmful deal at all, always good to have an arm liek this
Posted 10:08 AM, 12/15/2008
scorpio27
what are they on drugs? nobody considers this guy a starter.
Comment removed.
Posted 10:06 AM, 12/15/2008
Matt
Series
Posted 10:03 AM, 12/15/2008
puckhead
Way to go Ed(Wade)??? Ruban is a joke!
Posted 10:02 AM, 12/15/2008
Jeffrey
Park, Lowe... why are we pursuing these pitchers we beat up on during the postseason? And a starter? I'm scratching my head a little bit.
Posted 10:01 AM, 12/15/2008
jonez
Ehhhhhhhhhh, is this an April Fools Day joke?
Posted 10:01 AM, 12/15/2008
bobcitydoc
At this price this is a good signing.
Posted 10:00 AM, 12/15/2008
guiness2
Park is a reliever
Posted 09:59 AM, 12/15/2008
themike
have we given up on Moyer?
Posted 09:53 AM, 12/15/2008
mantle
Get ready for another parade, we have Chan Ho F..ing Park> What a joke!!
About David Murphy
David Murphy joined the Daily News as its Phillies beat writer in February of 2008. Born in Upper Merion and raised in the Poconos, he attended college at La Salle University before taking jobs with the Myrtle Beach (S.C.) Sun-News and the St. Petersburg ( Fla. ) Times.

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