Park To Dodgers

Kim Tong-hyung at the Korea Times writes about Chan Ho Park returning to the Dodgers:

The 33-year-old South Korean said Thursday he signed a contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he started his Major League career in 1994, and expected to join the team in spring camp.

Team 61, Park's domestic management agency, declined to reveal the terms of the deal, including whether it's a minor league contract or a split contract, which would provide Park a higher rate of pay if added to the Major League roster.

Park, who posted 113 wins in the majors, is now at the tail end of his playing career. He just pitched one game for the New York Mets this year and gave up seven runs in four innings. He ended the season with the Houston Astros' Triple-A affiliate Round Rock Express and went 6-14 with a 5.97 ERA.

Park Released

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about the Mets release of Chan Ho Park:

The Mets gave Chan Ho Park his unconditional release today. He was 4-4 with a 5.57 ERA in nine starts for Triple-A New Orleans (AAA). He gave up 34 runs on 64 hits in 51 2/3 innings.

Park had some encouraging moments in spring training.When it was obvious he wasn’t going to beat out Mike Pelfrey, the Mets tried him in relief. That didn’t work and Park surprisingly accepted a minor league assignment. Actually, he accepted two.

With the way pitching is these days, it wouldn’t surprise me if somebody gives him another chance.

O's Still Interested In Park

At MLB Trade Rumors, they write about the Baltimore Orioles and their interest in Chan Ho Park:

Just a small note from the bottom of a New York Post article today - the Mets and Orioles have had trade discussions regarding 34 year-old starter Chan Ho Park.

Before the season, the Mets signed Park for $600,000, with an additional $2.4MM in incentives based on innings pitched. Park has struggled with the long ball in five Triple A starts, and it's contributed to his 6.67 ERA. Those looking for a silver lining can take solace in his 4.5 K/BB. PECOTA calls for a 4.75 ERA for him this year, not bad at all as far as fifth starters go.

However, the AL East is a harsh environment.Odalis Perez is the other guy said to be on Baltimore's radar for the fifth starter vacancy.

A Bucket Of Balls...Oh And Some Cash

At Rotoworld, they write about the O's and their interest in Chan Ho Park:

The New York Post is reporting that the Orioles have showed interest making a trade with the Mets for Chan Ho Park.

Park is currently pitching for Triple-A New Orleans after getting shelled in his latest major league opportunity. The Mets would likely be happy to send Park to the O's for cash, a bucket of balls, or possibly a player to be named later.

I don't know about you, but it gave me a little bit of a laugh.

Mets Should Go After Roberts

So now the Orioles want a starting pitcher? More so is they’re interested in Chan Ho Park.

Well the Mets got plenty of those in stock. The Mets Triple-A staff looks better than the Nationals. They’ve got Jason Vargas, Chan Ho Park, Adam Bostick, and Phillip Humber. Take your pick, seriously.

What I would like to see happen is that the Mets go ahead and trade The Orioles Chan Ho Park, Rubin Gotay and Aaron Heilman and the Orioles go ahead and give the Mets Brian Roberts and Triple-A pitcher Hayden Penn.

Baltimore is sitting in third place in the American League East and probably not going anywhere real fast. With that said, the Mets could take the bloated salary of Roberts and the O’s could play Gotay in his spot.

Roberts is going to be thirty this season and hitting .275, with 1 home run, 7 RBI’s and 12 stolen bases. He’s a little bit of a burden for the O’s, but a perfect fit for the two hole behind Reyes.

The O’s would get two starters in return for Roberts and the Minor League Pitcher (Heilman wants to start). That would solve a lot of the Orioles woes for the season.

What do you think?

Park Sent Packing

According to the Official Post at Mets.com, writes about Chan Ho Park getting sent down to the Minors:

The New York Mets today selected the contract of righthanded pitcher Lino Urdaneta from New Orleans (AAA) of the Pacific Coast League and optioned righthanded pitcher Chan Ho Park to the Zephyrs. Urdaneta will wear #19 and will be available for tonight's game at Arizona. The Mets 40-Man Roster now stands at 40.

New York's starter for Saturday's game at Arizona is to be determined.

Park Could Actually Get Another Start

At Rotoworld, they write about Chan Ho Park and his chances of getting another start:

The New York Post said that the Mets are leaning to giving Chan Ho Park a second start.

"We're gonna kind of mull it over the next day or two," manager Willie Randolph said. "Right now, he's taking his turn. But as always, things are subject to change." Jorge Sosa, Jason Vargas, and Aaron Sele are all better options to make Saturday's start.

Don't Look For Park

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Chan Ho Park and how he probably won't make another start for the Mets:

I’m not betting on Chan Ho Park starting this weekend at Arizona. He wasn’t doing it in the minors and Monday night was a disaster. He was supposed to use his time in the minors to get it together, but I’d be more inclined to give somebody else a chance.

Park Expected To Return To Zephyrs

At Rotoworld, they write about Chan Ho Park and his eventual demotion:

Chan Ho Park is expected to be returned to Triple-A New Orleans with Jorge Sosa, Jason Vargas, and Aaron Sele candidates to start Saturday's game at Arizona.

The Mets hope that Orlando Hernandez will only miss one more start and will return to the rotation on May 11. We expect the Mets will go with Sosa to replace Park in the rotation until Hernandez returns.

Kind Of Felt Bad For The Guy

Ed Ryan over at Mets Fever (Shea Nation Network), writes about Chan Ho Park:

Kevin who fills in for John Delcos at Lo Hud Journal gives us some insight into the locker room after the game. When I hear stuff like this, I want to give the guy another chance with a little more help from the defense, he wins the game.

Odds are Chan Ho won’t get another start. At least, thatwas the sense in the locker room after the game. Sometimes reporters have a knee-jerk reaction to things like this. But I tend to agree.

It was a pretty awkward postgame. During the interviews, a reporter from Korea reminded Randolph that Jose Valentin was hurt and then asked “Would Valentin have caught that ball” in reference to the third-inning line drive that Damion Easley dropped, opening the door for the five runs.

Then with Park in the interview room, he was asked two questions he didn’t particularly appreciate: 1. Would you give yourself another chance to start after tonight’s performance?; and 2. Did you think you can still pitch in the big leagues?Park was clearly bothered by the line of questioning. He actually said at one point “You might be laughing at me, but I’m trying my hardest.” Kind of felt bad for the guy.

Don't Be Surprised

Adam Rubin at On The Mets Beat, writes about Chan Ho Park and how he's probably going back to New Orleans soon:

He looked very good early, dominant even, striking out three of the first eight batters he faced before pitcher Scott Olsen hit a soft single to center. But then Park lost it, some of it his own doing and some of it a case of bad baseball karma.

Just guessing here, but don't be surprised if Jorge Sosa is called up to take Park's place for the rest of the starts that would've gone to Orlando Hernandez. Sosa has been lights-out for Triple-A New Orleans.

Park And Defense Don't Hold Up In Loss

Anthony Di Como at Mets.com, writes about the Mets 9-6 loss to the Marlins tonight:

The veteran right-hander allowed seven runs in four innings -- including five in the third -- to sink the Mets, 9-6, in the first game of a three-game set with the Marlins.

After Park loaded the bases with a single by opposing pitcher Scott Olsen and two walks, Marlins third baseman Miguel Cabrera hit a liner to second, where Damion Easley -- filling in for the injured Jose Valentin -- watched it careen off the top of his glove for two runs. Mike Jacobs then dropped a high flare into shallow center, just out of the reach of Jose Reyes, and Josh Willingham followed with a mirror image of that single to right.

When the smoke cleared, the Marlins had scored five runs and batted around, despite hitting just one ball on the nose. Yet Park couldn't overcome the two walks that were the catalyst to the rally.

The Mets offense staged a spirited comeback in the middle innings, sparked by a Carlos Beltran solo homer in the fifth and run-scoring liners by Shawn Green and Jose Reyes in the sixth. Two straight hits to open the seventh -- including one by Beltran, his fourth of the game -- finally knocked out Olsen, but the rally stalled there. Reliever Randy Messenger struck out David Wright on three pitches, and Moises Alou hit into a routine double play to end the threat.

The Mets added two more on RBI hits by Reyes and Paul Lo Duca in the eighth, but still couldn't avoid losing their third in their last five games.

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Tonight's Pitching Match Up

Tonight the (15-8) Mets take on the (11-13) Marlins at Shea Stadium (7:10). Here's a look at the pitchers for tonight's game:

Chan Ho Park (0-0, 0.00ERA)

Chan Ho Park will make his regular-season Mets debut in place of Orlando Hernandez, who had a stiff shoulder examined on Sunday. Park made four starts for Triple-A New Orleans, going 3-1 with a 7.29 ERA while striking out 20 batters in 21 innings.

Scott Olsen (2-1, 6.23)

Despite surrendering three solo homers in the first two innings of his previous start -- a no-decision against the Braves -- Olsen ended up striking out 10. The lefty worked eight innings, giving the bullpen a breather while showing he can settle down. His previous long start was 5 1/3 innings this season. The 23-year-old has struggled with walks allowed all season, but he issued one free pass while facing the Braves, so his command may be turning around.

Park Could Get The Nod Tonight

At Rotoworld, they write about Chan Ho Park and that he could start tonight in place of Orlando Hernandez, who might be out with shoulder problems:

Chan Ho Park could start Monday's game against the Marlins if Orlando Hernandez is scratched.

Hernandez was examined on Sunday after feeling tightness in his shoulder. Jorge Sosa would have been a better option, but Sosa pitched Sunday's game for Triple-A New Orleans. Park currently has a 7.29 ERA for the Zephyrs.

Replacing Pelfrey?

With today’s game only in the third and Pelfrey giving up six runs, it’s ballooned his ERA to 7.90. He hasn’t performed up to his Spring Training caliber at all. It’s only his third start, but he’s the only Mets pitcher who hasn’t shown that he can get the job done yet.

So, now this starts the speculation. Is Pelfrey going down to triple A? If so, then who will replace him?

Below are some quick hits as to who might be ready to fill in the fifth starter’s role:

Jason Vargas – In four starts this year for the Zephyrs, Vargs is sporting an ERA of 3.42 and is two and one. Besides with a strike out ratio of nineteen to five, he might have a good chance of stepping up to the mound in a Mets jersey this year.

Chan Ho Park – Even though Park has a 7.29 ERA, he’s still the veteran of choices to go to in the Minors for the Mets. He didn’t perform well for the Mets during spring training, but he can be nearly dominant at times.

Jorge Sosa – Probably the leading candidate for the replacement role. Sosa’s boasting a three and zero record, with an ERA of 1.38. Besides all this, he has a strike out ratio of six to one (24-4). I’d be a fool to think that anyone else would come up in the case that Willie demotes Pelfrey soon.

Park Hoping For Return To Form

Charlie Nobles at Mets.com, writes about Chan Ho Park and how he is trying to get back to All-Star form:

As a Met, he figures to have three things going for him in his bid for a turnaround season. Park is back in the National League, he's healthy and he's happy to be playing again in a city where many of his native countrymen can see him pitch.

When Park made the transition from the Dodgers in the National League to the Rangers in the American League in 2002, he was considered among the game's premier pitchers. After a back injury that lingered for three painful years, he was largely viewed with disdain by Texas fans.

The Park fan club had pretty much dwindled to some dogged loyalists from his native Korea.

"But I never give up, that's the most important thing," Park said, raising his voice to make a point. "I never gave up. Everybody said I was done. I didn't let that take me out of the game. I knew if I could get healthy, I still knew how to get hitters out."

Lo Duca on 6 Pitchers

Matthew Cerrone at Mets Blog, writes about Paul Lo Duca and his opinion on 6 of the Mets pitchers in Spring Training:

Talking with SNY's Kevin Burkhardt from Tradition Field yesterday, Mets C Paul Lo Duca had the following to say regarding.....

Oliver Perez:

"He's an electric pitcher that plays off emotions, I think New York is t he best thing for him. He likes to dance a little on the mound, and do his thing, and a lot of players might think he is showing people up, but he's probably the nicest kid you'll ever meet.
"He's the kind of guy that you got to let him go. He's gonna be wild, but effectivly wild, you got to let him do his thing...you can't make him a Tom Glavine, a guyt that can move the ball around and do different things with. Oliver is a different kind of pitcher, with strikeout kind of stuff and you just gotta let him throw it."

John Maine:

"John Maine grew upa lot last year. He's awesome, he's an awesome kid. I think he's another guy, too, that's startingf to realize that he can be good, and really good and in this league for a long time – I don't think he realized that, and I think the doubts were in his mind. Last year in the playoffs made him realize he has that type of stuff to succeed."

Chan Ho Park:

"Chan Ho, obviously, is a guy who has unbelievable stuff. He had some injuries the past couple of years, I know he had the internal bleeding last year. He could be a huge bonus if he can come back healthy...he's the kind of guy who wants the ball, he can go deep in games."

Jason Vargas:

"Vargas, I love very much. I mean, he was great for us when I was in Florida. He went through that period last year, a little doubt in his mind. I talked to him a little bit since I've been here, and hopefully we can get back that swagger, because he has that swagger and I think he can succeed in this market."

Philip Humber and Mike Pelfrey:

"Well, both got tremendous upside. Humbe'’s got a tremedouns breaking ball. I caught Pelf a lot more, he's got electric stuff. It's just about him getting more innnigs and getting more confidence and he's gonna be a good pitcher in this game for a long time."

Park's Curve

David Lennon at Newsday, writes about Willie Randolph and how he likes Chan Ho Park's curve ball:

Willie Randolph was impressed watching Chan Ho Park throw curveballs during yesterday's bullpen session. A pitch that breaks so steeply is rare, and Randolph was excited about seeing Park bringing that back into his repertoire.

Park's Job To Lose

John Delcos at Lo Hud, writes about Chan Ho Park and how he said that the rotation spot is his to lose:

You have to admire Chan Ho Park's sense of confidence. He said a starting job in the rotation is his to lose, and he has his sights on third. That puts John Maine fourth and Oliver Perez fifth.

Then again, we have six weeks of camp left and the decision isn't really his. But, you'd rather have a guy with that confidence rather than unsure of himself. Park, who was beat around with Texas, said he's glad to be back in the National League.

Too bad it's not that simple. Fact is, Park has been hammered for a reason, and it isn't all about the leagues. It's easy for him to have confidence now, but he should hold his talk until he does something.

Park's Contract

Matthew Cerrone writes about Chan Ho Park's contract and the full detail of it:

Chan Ho Park will be paid $600,000 this season if he makes the team’s opening day roster. He can earn up to $2.4 million in performance bonuses based on innings pitched.
However, if Park does not make the opening day roster he will only be paid $150,000.

As Chris posted at MetsBlog a few days ago, Park has posted a 4.19 career ERA against teams from the National League East, other than the Mets.

Park has had the most success against the Phillies, compiling a 3.09 ERA in 70 innings pitched, and has had the most trouble facing the Braves, sporting a 5.67 ERA in 79 and two-thirds innings.