Phillies Park Another Pitcher

Right-handed pitcher Chan Ho Park has signed with the Phillies, according to a report in the "Korea Times."

The one-year deal is reportedly worth $2.5 million with performance bonuses adding up to $5 million. A far cry from the five-year, $65-million deal he signed in 2002 with the Texas Rangers.

Park, 35, is 117-92 (.560 winning percentage) with 1,590 strikeouts over 15 seasons while posting a 4.34 ERA.

He has had injury problems over his career -- he hasn't started more than 30 games or pitched 200 innings since 2001. He also struggled to live up to his massive deal in Texas.

This signing may raise the eyebrows of some Phillies fans and raise some interesting questions:

1. Does this mean that the Phils will stop pursuing the ageless Jamie Moyer?
2. Will Park serve as long relief or compete as a starter?
3. Chan Ho Park is still in the majors? I had no idea.

Park himself seemed a bit timid about signing with the Phillies because of the reputation of Citizens Bank Park as a bandbox especially after getting knocked around in hitter-friendly Ameriquest Field in Arlington while with Texas.

"I was a little worried about the Citizen Bank Park, the home of the Phillies, which is hitter-friendly, but as they considered me as a starter, I signed with Philadelphia,'' he said.

That seems to answer the question about Park being a starter for the Phils -- at least for now.

The Phils still may be trying to sign Moyer but Park will be competing for the fifth rotation spot with or without Moyer on board.

Park also helps the Phillies with international marketing. He is very popular in his home of South Korea.

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