Padres Sign KBO Reliever Woo Suk Go To Two-Year, $4.5 Million Deal

The San Diego Padres signed Korean closer Woo Suk Go to a two-year, $4.5 million deal. Go led the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) with 42 saves in 2022, though it is still unknown if the reliever will close for San Diego.

“We’re not going into this with any kind of roles yet,” Padres general manager A.J. Preller said. “We’re getting as much talent and guys who have different looks as we can. When we get to spring training we’ll see how they adjust and throw the ball and understand how they will benefit the team.”

Because the Padres signed Go out of the KBO, the team will pay approximately $900,000 (20% of the guaranteed money in the deal) to the LG Twins, Go’s former team. He debuted with the team in 2017 and has remained there since.

Go is one of several free agents from Asian baseball leagues to sign with MLB teams this off-season.

Shohei Ohtani, who originally played in Japan before debuting with the Angels in 2018, signed the largest deal in MLB history with the Dodgers last month. Japanese pitchers Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Yuki Matsui have also signed with the Dodgers and Padres, respectively, and will make their MLB debuts this year. KBO outfielder Jung Ho Lee, who is related to Go through marriage, recently signed with the Giants.

Go and Matsui could end up competing for the Padres’ closer job, along with relief pitcher Robert Suarez. Certain incentives and contract clauses could include money for the pitcher who earns saves for the team.

As many West Coast teams target players from overseas, San Diego is clearly using the trend to bolster its bullpen after a profoundly disappointing season. Despite having Fernando Tatis, Manny Machado and Juan Soto in the same lineup, the team struggled throughout the season and missed the postseason.