St. Louis Cardinals: Kwang Hyun Kim signs with SSG Landers

There was a storm brewing with Kwang Hyun Kim. The SSG Landers of the Korean Baseball Organization requested a status check on the former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher, something that happens when a team is interested in bringing a player over as a free agent.

The storm broke later on Monday. The Landers announced that Kim has signed a four year deal worth $12.3 million, joining Ivan Nova and Wilmer Font in their rotation.

Former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Kwang Hyun Kim rejoins SSG Landers

Kim had an impressive run with the Landers before coming stateside. He spent a dozen years with the SK Wyverns (as the Landers were known then) and quickly emerged as a top of the rotation arm in the KBO. He posted a 136-77 record with a 3.27 ERA and a 1.328 WHiP in his 1673.2 innings, striking out 1456 batters with 646 walks.

There was every probability that he would have signed once the lockout was over. Kim had established himself as a solid option stateside as well, albeit one in the back of the rotation or in a swingman role. He posted a 2.97 ERA and a 1.215 WHiP in his 145.2 major league innings, striking out 104 batters with 51 walks.

But the lockout could well continue for weeks. The owners seem more interested in breaking the union than in finding a solution and getting a new Collective Bargaining Agreement done. That leaves players such as Kim in limbo, wondering where they will be playing in 2022.

He no longer has to worry about that. While Kim’s major league career is likely over, he has his place for the coming season. His $12.3 million salary is likely to be more than he would have earned stateside even if he spent the next four years in the majors. And, to top it all off, he gets to go home once more.

Kwang Hyun Kim is back with the SSG Landers. The former St. Louis Cardinals pitcher proves that in some cases, you can go home again.