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Park Chan-ho, a Hot Potato

Posted April. 29, 2003 22:09,   

한국어

# Coming back after some rest

For the Texas Rangers, Chan Ho Park is cause for a dilemma: Sticking with him requires the team to face the risk of an uncertain future. On the other hand, deserting him might cost the Rangers dearly.

What really bothers the Rangers stems from the five-year $65 million contract with Park. To compensate for its high-risk investment, Texas should use Park in some beneficial way. This is why the Rangers are critical as well as patronizing towards the pitcher. For example, Texas bought former L.A. Dodgers catcher Chad Kreuter, who no other team would take on. During spring training however, Texas coaching staff including manager Buck Shawalter did everything they could to resuscitate Park.

"Last winter, I met with each and every person Park built up a relationship with at the Dodgers," Shawalter once confessed.

If the club gives Park 15 days of rest, the rest would serve him as an opportunity to "recharge". Of course, 15 days may not suffice to resuscitate the power of his pitching. If last year is any illustration, the period may help Park.

Last year, after being put on the disabled list for a second time, he won five games in a row. With Valdes and Park both off, Texas would probably jump at any chance they could get.

# Going down to the minor leagues

The contract entitles Park to resist any order to go down and play in the minor leagues. In other words, the club or the coaching staff can not force him to play at a lower level. But for Park himself, this seems the best option. With his performance and ball command, Park most likely is not able to survive in the Major Leagues.

His pride will be damaged, of course. Park, however, can pick himself up. He should start himself anew in the minor leagues, when he first started his career. Park`s agent Scott Boras is likely to recommend Park to go for this option. Last year, Park played with the Oklahoma Red Hawks due to a finger injury, and underwent rehab training there.

# Conversion to relief pitching

This option could be an alternative in the face of Park`s objection to the "minor league" option. Without any obsession for winning or losing, Park could hone up on his pitching skills, only having to throw in one or two innings. Considering his animosity towards Manager Buck Shawalter, it is unlikely Shawalter would put Park on the mound very frequently.

# Trading

This is what the Rangers are dying to materialize. At any cost, if possible at all, Texas wants to release Park. The reality, however, says that this just doesn’t seem possible. No other team would pay more than 10 million dollars a year for a pitcher whose ability has almost run out. Nonetheless, Texas will rack its brain to trade Park.



Sang-Soo Kim ssoo@donga.com