More often than not when players look to play overseas in an effort to extend their careers they end up signing with a team in Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball League. It would appear that the Korea Baseball Organization, or KBO, is suddenly becoming just as appealing an option as two more players have reportedly agreed to sign there for the upcoming season. Right-hander Scott Richmond has signed a deal with the Lotte Giants, worth $600,000 for one year. Left-hander Dana Eveland has reached agreement on a deal with the Hanwha Eagles.
Dana Eveland has spent parts of the past eight seasons in the Majors but will head to Korea for the 2013 season. (Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)
Richmond made 25 starts this past season for Toronto’s Triple-A affiliate, posting an 11-7 record and 5.61 ERA over 134.2 innings. He’s only made a handful of appearances in the Major Leagues since the 2009 season, however, and the increased opportunities for playing time have proven to be highly appealing for the 33 year old Canadian. Richmond holds a career mark of 7.5 K/9 over his minor league career, a number that he may see an increase to while pitching in Korea thanks in part to his 6’5” frame.
Eveland has had more success at the Major League level, though he’s been given far more opportunities to date. The 29 year old has bounced back and forth between the Majors and Triple-A for much of the past eight seasons, spending time with multiple organizations. He spent the 2012 season with the Baltimore Orioles, making 14 appearances and throwing a total of 32.1 innings. He’d post a 4.73 ERA and 1.392 WHIP in that span, working mostly out of the Baltimore bullpen. Down at Triple-A he’d make 14 starts, going 5-5 with a 2.79 ERA over 84.0 innings. Eveland made $750,000 this past season with the Orioles, more than the $675,000 he reportedly will earn with Hanwha this coming season.