Japanese media showed great interest in Go Woo-seok's joining the San Diego Padres. Not only did he get to have a meal with Yuto Matsui, the left-hander who dominated the Japanese Professional Baseball (NPB), but he also looked back on Go Woo-seok's past remarks.
Japanese media outlet 'Daily Sports' reported on the 4th, "Pitcher Go Woo-seok, who was aiming to advance to the major leagues, signed a two-year contract with San Diego with a total annual salary of $4.5 million (approximately KRW 5.89 billion)." "There is a mutual option. If the option is not exercised, Go Woo-seok will receive a buyout of $500,000 (about 650 million won)," the report said.
The San Diego team issued an official press release this morning and said, "We have signed a two-year contract with right-handed reliever Go Woo-seok that includes a mutual option for 2026," and "This contract was announced directly by general manager AJ Preller."
The LG Twins also said, “Go Woo-seok signed a contract with San Diego,” and “With the consent of the club, he can enter the major league.”
Go Woo-seok graduated from Chungam High School in 2017 and joined LG as a first-round pick. He burst into his potential in the 2019 season, his third year as a professional, earning a spot as his team's closer. He became the new guardian of the Twins, recording 65 games, 71 innings, 8 wins, 2 losses, 35 saves, and an ERA of 1.52.
Go Woo-seok has emerged as a top closing pitcher in the KBO League with 63 games, 58 innings, 1 win, 5 losses, 30 saves, and an ERA of 2.17 in 2021, and in 61 games, 60⅔ innings, 4 wins, 2 losses, 42 saves, and an ERA of 1.48 in 2022. He set a career high by winning the title of relief king in the 2022 season.
However, in 2023, he suffered from minor injuries. In particular, he was disappointed that he could not pitch in a single game even after being selected for the World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team in March of last year.
Ko Woo-seok was initially selected as the closing pitcher for the WBC national team, but was unable to go on the mound due to symptoms of phlegm just before the tournament. He experienced the pain of being eliminated in the first round by not only being caught by Australia, who were considered to be one step behind Korea, but also suffering a crushing loss to Japan.
Although Go Woo-seok did not appear in the WBC, the Japanese media continued to watch him. Ko Woo-seok did not hide his displeasure when he said about a match with Shohei Otani, the symbol of Japanese baseball, during the WBC preparation process, "If there is no place to throw, I will hit where it doesn't hurt. I will send him out (to first base) and compete with the next batter." Even after Go Woo-seok's trip to San Diego became a publicity, more focus was placed on Go Woo-seok's remarks about the Otani sand dunes.
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