Padres Nearing Contract With Korean Reliever Woo Suk Go: Report
South Korean relief pitcher Woo Suk Go is reportedly close to an agreement with the San Diego Padres. The New York Post's Jon Heyman was the first to announce the news that an agreement was close.
Go has pitched the last seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization. He has been a reliever for the majority of the time, spending the last five years as a closer for the LG Twins.
The right-hander gives the Padres another solid bullpen arm to offset the expected loss of free agent Josh Hader, and brings his experience with him. Go recorded at least 30 saves in three of the last five seasons, proving that he can shut games down.
According to Heyman, Go has a chance to become the Padres' closer in 2024. With Hader hoping for record money and the cost-cutting Padres not expected to engage in a bidding war, San Diego has a clear need to fill.
The most concerning part of Go's game has been his struggles with walks. He has walked more than 10% of opposing hitters faced in four of his seven seasons.
Ostensibly he will need to refine his control before being assured of a high-leverage bullpen role in Major League Baseball. If Go auditions to close for San Diego, this will be something to watch.
The Padres also signed free agent reliever Yuki Matsui from Japan, who could act as the closer as well. The Padres may like the idea of having a closer-by-committee approach this coming season. For the last year and a half, Hader was the team's closer, used solely in one-inning appearances.
Go, 25, is 19-26 with a 3.18 ERA and 139 saves in 354 KBO games. He reportedly has a fastball that sits at 95 mph and touches 98, complemented by a cutter and a curveball:
