Rangers signing Yang to minor league deal, per reports

Hyeon-Jong Yang is rumored to be signing a deal with the Texas Rangers, per reports on Twitter relaying reports from Korean media. Yang, who turns 33 next month, is a left handed starting pitcher who has spent his entire career with the Kia Tigers of the KBO.

Yang had a 4.70 ERA in 172 IP last year, one of the worst years of his career, and has a career 3.83 ERA. He was the league MVP in 2017. He had previously been posted after the 2014 season, but did not end up coming to the States.

What I am seeing indicates that Yang wanted to sign with a team that would give him a chance to start. The Rangers rotation is, of course, not a strength, and if he signs with Texas it would presumably be with an eye on him getting a shot at the rotation. Chris Young mentioned today that the Rangers were continuing to look at pitchers, and it appears he may have had one specific pitcher in mind.

UPDATE — Evan Grant and Jeff Wilson are both saying that the deal will be a minor league contract, which means no need to clear a spot on the full 40 man roster for Yang. Wilson says it would be for $1.3 million. Yang would have an opportunity to win a rotation spot in spring training.