Chan Ho Park signs with Yankees
Park announced at a press conference in South Korea early this morning that he has signed a one-year deal with the Yankees worth $1.2 million, plus $300,000 worth of incentives.
Chan Ho Park signs with Yankees
David Murphy
Former Phillies righthander Chan Ho Park has signed with the team who beat them in the World Series. Park announced at a press conference in South Korea early this morning that he has signed a one-year deal with the Yankees worth $1.2 million, plus $300,000 worth of incentives. Park, according to a report by the Yonhap News Agency, said he had considered signing with the Cubs, who had offered him a chance to be a starter, "But I have chosen the Yankees, a prestigious team that can advance to the World Series again."
Of course, Park could have signed with another team that has a chance to advance to the World Series again, and for nearly twice the money he says he landed with the Yankees. The Phillies made no secret of their desire to re-sign Park, who posted a 2.52 ERA and struck out 9.4 batters per nine innings in 50 innings as a reliever last season. They made him an offer in the neighborhood of $3 million per year, but eventually moved on and signed righthanders Danys Baez and Jose Contreras.
Contreras, a former starter with the Yankees and White Sox, is expected to fill the void Park left.
Contreras is actually guaranteed more money by the Phillies -- $1.5 million -- than Park is guaranteed by the Yankees.
Park initially signed with the Phillies last offseason expecting to compete for the fifth spot in the rotation, even though manager Charlie Manuel has said he viewed Park as a reliever. Park did compete, and eventually won the spot, but struggled early on and eventually was replaced by J.A. Happ in the rotation.
Despite success as a reliever, Park was quoted by South Korean reporters this offseason as saying that he wanted to find a team that would give him another chance to start, although the Phillies said they were under the understanding that Park was open to returning to the team as a reliever.
Park doesn't appear to have any shot at starting with the Yankees, who feature C.C. Sabathia, Javier Vazquez, A.J. Burnett and Andy Pettitte, with well-regarded young players Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes competing for the final spot in the rotation.
Odd. Phils beat the Dodgers and he joins the Phillies the following year. The Yankess beat the Phillies and he joins the Yankees the following year. Well I suppose whatever team may beat the Yankees this year can get Chan Ho next year.— SmartAlec
Marian Hossa.— road515- road515: that player was Marian Hossa— HappyHalladay
- Didn't Charlie take a shot at him in a recent interview? It sounded like Chan Ho didn't always answer the bell...— djw26
- We will miss him. Best middle inning pitcher we had in some time. I wish him luck.— richw38
- His slider is a major attribute; his logic and financial management skills remain at a minor league level. Yet another new Park in the Bronx. This one arrived on the cheap.— mick314
Comment removed.- He just wanted to get back to civilization— smithdawg
- The phillies could'nt wait around for him forever. Once they committed to Baez and Contreas that was it he wasn't coming back.Chan ho or his agent painted themselves into a corner. Once spring training started he had to either settle for less or sit out the season. The phillies moved on and that's exactley what they should have done.— money1
- Comment removed.
- Is Chan Ho Polish?— beegal99
- Ouch, this hurts. Not a bad slight against the Phillies either, with that "prestigious" team talk. Park just broke my heart...he would've been great to have in the pen this year. To sign for less than what the Phils offered, this has Kyle Lohse redux going in my mind. Still, I think our team is looking much better going into this season than they did last spring. Still, I just don't let me see Park walking the field with a "Vote Joba" sandwich board...the memories, the memories...— Timmy
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- Now what the F#@#&! I thought CHP's only issue was he wanted to start. I wasn't upset at the Phils for not signing b/c CHP was adamant about starting and we know he stinks as a starter. Now he takes less $ to go to the NY and also talk smack that he wanted to sign with a team that has a good chance to make WS?! F-YOU CHP. Everyone loved you last year but this is a BS slap in the face move. Hope you choke on a chop-stick.— DennyP
- Bartleby, the Ho chose not to start. He could have started for the Cubs. And, yes, culturally, most empty-headed rednecks prefer to be a closers than starters.
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