The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed Korean SS Jung-Ho Kang to a $16 million deal for four years with a fifth year option, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN. Last month, Pittsburgh won the bidding for rights to sign Kang, and now are making it official. Kang is scheduled to fly into Pittsburgh on Wednesday and take his physical Thursday.
Kang has great power, batting .356/.459/.739 last season in 117 games for the Nexen Heroes with 40 home runs and 117 RBI. In four of his last six seasons, Kang has hit at least 20 home runs. He has also topped a .300 batting average in three of his last five seasons, with last season being his best. Aside from power, Kang also has decent speed, stealing 23 bases in 2012 and 16 in 2013. While those numbers are not off-the-charts, his average of 19.5 stolen bases between those two years is more than any Pirates' infielder had in 2014 (Josh Harrison is the closest with 18 in 2014).
While he likely won't be ready for Opening Day, expect him to debut at some point in 2015, providing depth behind Jordy Mercer and Neil Walker in the middle infield. His transition to the MLB will determine how much playing time he gets and where he gets it, whether it be in the minor or major leagues.