According to reports from the Rangers’ beat writers, the Cubs were in attendance Tuesday at the Rangers’ facility in Surprise to watch Korean RHP Suk-Min Yoon throw a bullpen session. The Cubs and Rangers watched Yoon throw the first of a series of bullpens that Scott Boras has set-up to help his client land a contract with a Major League team.
Yoon is trying to show that he is healthy and ready to pitch in the majors. Yoon reportedly threw 30 pitches Tuesday and is expected to throw additional bullpens in front of other teams interested in signing him. According to a report from the Dallas Morning News, around a half-dozen teams remain interested in Yoon.
The Cubs, Rangers, Orioles, Giants and Red Sox have been connected to Yoon in recent days. The Twins and Indians were also in the mix at one point, but Scott Boras’ asking price was reportedly too high for Minnesota and Cleveland. Boras’ asking price for Yoon is unknown at this point.
Several reports have suggested Yoon is looking for a multi-year contract and the Dallas Morning News indicated Yoon is “likely to command a two- or three-year deal.”
The Orioles and Giants watched Suk-Min Yoon throw last week in California. The Baltimore Sun reported Monday the Orioles offered Yoon a contract but details of the Orioles’ possible offer was not included in the report.
Suk-Min Yoon is recovering from a shoulder injury that limited him to only 30 appearances last year. Yoon pitched in the WBC then began the 2013 season on a minor league rehab due to the problem with his shoulder. Yoon pitched mainly out of the bullpen last year and posted a 3-6 record with a 4.00 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Yoon went 2-1 in 19 relief appearances with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP that included seven saves.
Yoon is 27-years old and reportedly throws six pitches including a fastball in the 91-92 mph range, a hard-breaking slider and an above average change-up. Yoon was considered the second best pitcher in Korea behind the Dodgers’ Hyun-jin Ryu.
The Cubs were reportedly interested in Yoon earlier in the off-season before they focused on Masahiro Tanaka. Yoon is focused on being a starter and not a reliever in the majors and Texas is reportedly looking at Yoon as a possibility to replace Derek Holland in their rotation.
Scott Boras told Jon Paul Morosi on Monday that six or seven teams were pursuing Yoon and he had received multiple offers.
T.R. Sullivan reported Tuesday afternoon Suk-Min Yoon is not close to signing with a team.