The Mets have been, and might continue to be, in sports purgatory: a team that floats around the playoff hunt without willing to be completely bad and getting a great draft pick. While they had gotten progressively worse from 2011-2013 (in relation to the league), they took a leap forward in 2014 and saw the development of a slew of younger players. Yes, this is old news by now, but the Mets currently have seven positions filled with quality hitters that could put up solid to great numbers. The only position that many fans believe is the exception is shortstop. There have been rumors about this position ranging from underwhelming to reasonable with some just downright silly. The latest rumor is surrounding the Korean slugger Jung-ho Kang and his posting on Monday. Mets fans seem to be avoiding this rumor in hope that it will not happen, but as the days go on, it increases in likelihood. Here are both sides to the story when discussing the Korean slugger.
(As a disclaimer, I am indifferent of Wilmer Flores starting at shortstop in 2015.)
Pros:
He has more power from the shortstop position than any active player
Hanley Ramirez, Ian Desmond, Jimmy Rollins, J.J. Hardy, Johnny Peralta, Stephen Drew, Alexi Ramirez, and Troy Tulowitzki. Those are the only active starting shortstops that have hit 20 homeruns in one season (it should be noted that H. Ramirez is now a leftfielder and Drew is not starting anymore). Last season only two of them hit 20: Desmond and Tulowitzki. At this point in time, neither will be playing in New York as a home player come opening day. So where do the Mets go for the unneeded power at the defensive-oriented position? Kang. This 28-year-old-to-be hit 39 homeruns last season, which would have led the National League and held the tie for the Major League lead. If the Mets are looking for power at this position, there is simply no other option that remains reasonably available. In addition, Kang holds a very reasonable walk rate over his career in Korea- posting 60+ walks in four of his last five seasons. In the end, if it translates, Kang’s bat will be among the League’s best and will easily surpass any other option available.
Kang will bring in more fanfare beyond the typical Mets fans
When Japanese players have come over to the states, there has typically been a little bit of a following in regard to Japanese and Japanese-Americans watching him live. This was especially evident when Hideki and Kazuo Matsui came to New York and attracted loads of new fans (especially Hideki). According to the American Community survey in 2011, there are about 100,000 people of Korean descent living in New York City, while 2/3 apparently reside in Queens. This could cause fans that don’t feel the need to come to the ballpark to change their minds. The Mets have struggled with sales in recent seasons and this potential signing could provide a nice little boost— and hopefully, in return, bring the Wilpons out of debt (a person can dream).
Cons:
His overall bat is not a sure thing that translates with a major league breaking ball.
One of the biggest problems that many teams face in signing international stars is the possibility that their bat, or arm, will not translate. Over the past several seasons, teams have had a reasonable success rate. From Japan we’ve seen Masihiro Tanaka, Yu Darvish, Nori Aoki, and Hiroki Kuroda. Unfortunately all of these players have come from the Japanese league. The Korean is not exactly on par in talent with the Japanese league in terms of talent and Japan is basically AAA in comparison to the major leagues. Kang has shown the ability to completely mash pitchers in a league that is oozing with offensive talent, similar to the late 90’s and early 2000’s. While this does not discredit the 27-year old slugger, it raises a question. In the end, this young man will be just like every other draft pick gamble except he would a major investment.
He would not exactly be a great lineup fit
The Mets are finally at a point where their lineup is actually full of bats that have the potential to drive in 75+ runs. To name a few: Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Curtis Granderson, Lucas Duda, Michael Cuddyer, and Travis d’Arnaud. This leaves only Murphy and Juan Lagares as true table setters for big innings. Signing this young slugger would be minimizing his potential as he will bat eighth to begin the season. In addition, adding him to the lineup would only add more pressure to the other hitters if Kang fails.
If you believe he is a major league SS and that he can hit the other con of him putting pressure on your lineup or that he is too much of a slugger to bat 8th should not matter. Grandy can lead off then move Travis and Kang up one each let Jaun bat 8th. However as he adjust to a new League batting 8th may take some of the pressure off him. The real con is will the posting fee make signing him ridiculous for the experiment any international free agent is. That is why scouting him is so key. If your scots say he is a Major league SS that can hit in the US sign him and figure out the lineup in Spring if he fails you still have Flores in the short term and Reynolds in the long run. If you don’t think he is an upgrade over Floras then skip it and see about other options to push Floras if not replace him. Drew or the former SD SS.
I don’t like the rumors about him potentially having to move from SS, and not being able to translate that power to the MLB. Granted, even if he hits 15 home runs, that’s still a tremendous improvement over what we had last year, but Flores might be able to attain that, and at a ridiculously lower cost. I just can’t image the Mets making that kind of investment in such an unknown product.
Couple issues:
39 home runs in Korea does not translate to much in the MLB. Korean baseball’s pitching is supposed to be a solid notch below Japan and AAA.
Kang has an ugly kick in his swing and will be abused by pitchers in the MLB.
Nobody else is hot on him.
I’d spend my money on Moncada if I’m spending money.
Just from reading blogs and news sites, I get the feeling there’s enough interest in Kang that someone will gamble on him with a small-ish deal. I’d be very alarmed if the Mets paid big money for him to be our starting SS; I’m just too concerned there are hiccups in the translation. Now as a backup 2B/3B with the potential to take over a starting job if he performs and/or a trade happens… that may be a little more feasible if no team offers a real bid.