Byung-ho Park to the Colorado Rockies?

There has been a lot of buzz prior to the offseason circulating around Korean baseball player Byung-ho Park. The 29-year-old has produced at a tremendous rate the past three seasons as Colorado looks to fill their first base need.

Does Park make sense for the Rockies? As much as I’d love to have Park on board, there are other needs Colorado must focus on such as their starting rotation and bullpen; both were terrible last season might I add. However, the Rockies recently declined their $9 million option on veteran Justin Morneau, leaving a gapping hole at the first base position.

Park provides to be an intriguing option this offseason, being that the first baseman has absolutely mashed the last three years in the Korean Baseball Organization. It’s kind of a buyer beware type of situation with foreign players; you never know if their game will translate to the Majors. However, players such as Jose Abreu, Yoenis Cespedes and Jung-ho Kang have recently deemed to prove otherwise.

This past season with the Nexen Heroes, Park was outstanding — hitting 35 doubles, one triple, 53 home runs and 153 RBI’s. Watch out, Nolan Arenado. Park slashed at a line of .343/.436/.714 with 78 walks and also, 161 strikeouts — that might be an issue.

MLB Trade Rumors came out with their Top 50 MLB Free Agents earlier today, listing Park at No. 23. Guess who they have him going to? None other than the Colorado Rockies. Here’s what the guys had to say about him.

"Park, a 29-year-old first baseman from the Korea Baseball Organization, was posted by the Nexen Heroes this week.  In the wake of the Pirates’ success with Jung-ho Kang, Park’s price tag should exceed that $16MM expenditure.  Park had big home run numbers but played in a very homer-friendly league.  We may learn next week which MLB team won the posting bidding and if the Heroes will accept it, making this an easier pick for our free agent prediction contest.  The Rockies, Orioles, Cardinals, Indians, Mariners, Marlins, Padres, Phillies, and Pirates are potential matches."

They projected the likely cost of Park’s contract annually would be an upwards of $10 million, which doesn’t seem that farfetched.

If Colorado wants to fill their gap at first base with Park, I’d be all for it as long as they target needs in the rotation and bullpen as well. You know, guys who can actually pitch and make a difference for this team moving forward.

Park’s power is impressive to say the least, posting four-straight 30+ home run seasons, including two-straight 50+. Not to mention, he has posted four-straight 100+ RBI seasons; talk about production. Park is not a guy who is exactly fleet of foot, yet he has posted 48 stolen bases the past four seasons.

Next: Colorado Rockies End of the Season Awards

At the end of the day, I’d be all for Colorado making a play for the Korean product, providing more power and stability in their lineup.