The Samsung Lions of the KBO League introduced that they’ve re-signed first baseman Lewin Díaz and right-hander Denyi Reyes, per Dan Kurtz of MyKBO.internet and Jiheon Pae (X hyperlink). Díaz will get a $100K signing bonus, a $500K wage and $200K of incentives whereas Reyes will get a $200K signing bonus, $700K wage and $300K of incentives.
Díaz, now 28, was a highly regarded participant throughout his time in North America, although with out getting an prolonged large league alternative. He began his main league profession with the Marlins however solely bought restricted appears to be like within the three years from 2020 to 2022.
Having exhausted his choices after that stretch, his grip on his roster spot turned tenuous and he was designated for task by the Fish. Earlier than the 2023 season began, he went to the Pirates, Orioles, Atlanta and Orioles once more by way of waivers or money trades. The O’s did ultimately run him by way of waivers and didn’t name him up in 2023.
Typically, Díaz has carried out effectively all over the place besides the majors. He hit .181/.227/.340 in his temporary appears to be like within the large leagues however had a a lot nicer line of .258/.340/.479 on the Triple-A stage over the 2021-2023 seasons. He’s additionally thought of a powerful defender at first base, in order that made for an intriguing mixture, probably why he saved getting a lot consideration.
He went to the Mexican League in 2024 and put up an enormous slash of .376/.452/.647 in 75 video games there. He then bought a take care of the Lions in the course of August, with a powerful .282/.331/.518 line in 29 video games in Korea, seemingly sufficient to persuade the Lions to carry him again.
Reyes, now 28, was a equally fringe roster participant throughout his time within the affiliated ball. He bought to make three appearances for the 2022 Orioles after which bought into 9 video games for the 2023 Mets, posting a 6.26 earned run common in his 27 1/3 innings.
He posted some intriguing price stats within the minors however was victimized by the lengthy ball. From 2021 to 2023, he threw 209 1/3 innings on the farm with a 21.4% strikeout price that was near common and 5.7% stroll price that was fairly sturdy. However because of 47 balls leaving the yard in that point, he had a 5.59 ERA.
Reyes signed with the Lions going into 2024 and went on to have a strong 12 months, with the groundball-heavy league seeming to be a great match for him. He logged 144 innings over 26 begins with a 3.81 ERA, 18.5% strikeout price, 4.9% stroll price, 62.3% floor ball price and 15 homers allowed. The Lions have been evidently happy with that efficiency and can carry him again for 2025.
Each gamers are nonetheless comparatively younger and will attempt to return to MLB sooner or later in the event that they proceed to have good outcomes abroad, as gamers like Erick Fedde or Eric Thames have executed. For now, they’ll lock in some first rate cash that’s within the neighborhood of the MLB minimal, which will likely be $760K subsequent 12 months.