MLBTR reports that the Cubs have agreed to sign South Korean right-handed reliever Chang-Yong Lim. The split contract is worth up to $5MM at the big league level, and it includes an interpreter and a personal trainer.
"I am happy that my dream has finally come true," said Lim to reporters. "I
am not getting any younger, and it's great to have the chance to
experience something I never have before. I am going to tackle this
challenge head on."
Lim, 36, is currently rehabbing from his second Tommy John surgery,
and the Cubs don't expect him back until 2014. Roughly a half-dozen
clubs made contract offers, including the Red Sox and Rangers. Lim had
been with the Yakult Swallows in Japan since 2008 after spending several
years with the Samsung Lions in South Korea. He pitched to a 2.09 ERA
with 8.9 K/9 and 128 saves during his time with Yakult.
This makes so little sense it brings fans into the speechless sector. Again, the Cubs have sought out a pitcher coming off a SECOND Tommy John surgery. Again, the Cubs are signing a pitcher who is not even throwing the ball - - - pure guess work if he will recover or not. Again, the Cubs are looking at "past" performance as a guide to future potential, which is a real stretch in regard to equating foreign players to MLB talent. And finally, Lim is 36 years old. And he will not pitch until he is 38 years old!
Old. Injured. Can't pitch for almost two years. Cubs.
Unbelievable.
