Posting deadline D-12th, Ko Woo-suk, dramatic reversal? “Korea’s best closing GO, interesting bullpen option” is drawing attention again

Since the announcement of his entry into the Major League, Ko Woo-suk (LG), who has no connection, is drawing attention from local media again. Local analysis showed that it is suitable as a bullpen option for the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. Philadelphia media “PSN” included Ko Woo-suk on the list under the title “PSN’s 2024 Wish List.”

The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks in this year’s National League Championship Series, failing to advance to the World Series for the second consecutive year. After the end of the season, the team called for a massive reinforcement of its power, but has yet to recruit any other players since Aaron Nola’s seven-year, 172 million-dollar contract a month ago. Recently, there was news that the team put an offer on Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but it suffered a setback in the money game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

PSN argued that Philadelphia should turn to the bullpen market and seek to recruit Shintaro Fujimani and Ko Woo-suk. “We hope the Phillies will sign either Fujinami or Ko Woo-suk,” the media outlet said. “After throwing fastballs, he is a perfect fit for Philadelphia’s bullpen philosophy. He made his worst debut in the Major League in 2023, but he can be a good pitcher if he solves the control problem. The Philadelphia coaching staff will be able to help him.” 사설 토토사이트

The commentators immediately followed suit. PSN said, “Go is one of the best closing pitchers in the KBO league. His fastball average speed exceeds 95 miles (152 kilometers) and could be another interesting option for Philadelphia, which needs reinforcement from its bullpen.”

Along with PSN, CBS Sports in the U.S. also recommended Ko Woo-suk to Major League teams that have not yet been reinforced. The media said, “It is expected that multiple Major League teams will turn their eyes to the 2nd and 3rd tier groups of the international free agent market in the remaining off-season. Japanese starting pitchers Naoyuki Wausawa and Korean bullpen pitcher Ko Woo-seok,” and predicted, “They are not at the level of Yoshinobu Yamamoto or Lee Jung-hoo, but I think they will be able to sign contracts now that major league teams are more interested in NPB and KBO than ever before.”

Ko Woo-seok, who was named the first LG Twins in the 2017 rookie draft, filled seven seasons to advance overseas through the posting system after the 2023 season, and delivered his long-cherished dream of trying for the Major League to the LG club.

After confirming Ko’s intention to play overseas, the LG team accepted Ko’s bid to play in the Major League on Nov. 21. “I asked Ko to give it a try,” LG’s general manager Cha Myung-seok said. “We need to see how interested the Major League is,” adding, “In the past, Kim Jae-hwan (Doosan) tried, but gave up because the conditions he wanted didn’t come out.” “I told him to try it again and talk with the team when the amount of money that the player is satisfied with is available.”

Ko has been a built-in closing pitcher for LG since 2019. He recorded 19 wins and 26 losses with 139 saves and six holds with a 3.18 ERA in a total of 354 games in seven seasons, and became the league’s best closing pitcher with a 1.48 ERA and 42 saves last year.

This year, he suffered neck and shoulder injuries in the WBC (World Baseball Classic) in March, and had an ERA of 3.68 with 3 wins, 8 losses, 15 saves, and an ERA of 3.68 in 44 games. Although he was sluggish with an ERA of 8.31 in four games in the Korean Series, he won his first championship ring in his career, helping his team win the championship for the first time in 29 years since 1994.

The deadline for Ko’s contract, which has been freely negotiating with 30 Major League teams since 8 a.m. on Saturday, is 5 p.m. on January 3, 2024. He has to sign by 7 a.m. on January 4 in Korean time to realize his dream of becoming a big leaguer.