Joining a set that the Korean press have already dubbed the Major League Corps Jose Lima will join Seo Jae-weong, Choi Hee-seop, and another recent foreign signing; Wilson Valdez, as a members of the Kia Tigers.
Lima most recently went 13-4 with a 3.60 ERA while playing for Saraperos de Saltillo in the Mexican League last year. Valdez put up a nifty .343/.413 as a member of the Las Vegas 51s during 2007.
The Lima signing, along with Seo, (who I still maintain could have challenged for a spot in a major league starting rotation) gives Kia what could be one of the better starting rotations in the KBO. Factor in Choi, who once he became acclimated to the extra pounds he put on upon returning to Korea was one of the league’s top hitters, along with Valdez at short, and the Tigers could make a run at a worst-to-first season.
In other foreigners to KBO news former Giants prospect Doug Clark and former Twins prospect, pitcher Brad Thomas, signed with the Hanwha Eagles. Clark and Thomas were most recently with the Braves and Mariners organizations respectively.
6 responses so far ↓
1 IronChef // Jan 3, 2008 at 4:20 pm
YES
2 Mike McStay // Jan 3, 2008 at 7:08 pm
Well Doug and Brad, Welcome to Daejeon. I think that you will like it here.
3 Swi // Jan 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
And to think….all we have coming over to Japan is Matt Wise. Damn.
4 Swi // Jan 4, 2008 at 4:14 pm
Sorry, Matt Kinney.
5 A.S. // Jan 4, 2008 at 8:17 pm
Matt Wise just signed with the Mets, but he’ll be here before too long.
6 Gary Garland // Jan 7, 2008 at 10:52 pm
I have lived in Taejon and it is a clean, peaceful city with tons of nice people. So they should like the environment there.
But c’mon, Jose Lima? I just don’t see how he has the makeup to last a full season in Korea. The Japanese had taken a brief look at Lima and passed a couple of years ago, not eliciting a single offer.
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