I’m wondering why Hee Seop Choi is playing in the US. According to Korean professional rules:
Players who have 7- year experience in Korean Baseall League will be able to play foreign league.
Which leads me to belief Choi was never a professional ballplayer in Korea. I know he was signed by Leon Lee, Derrek’s father. So are US clubs allowed to “raid” Korean prospects like that? Japan has a similar rule as well. Given the success of those two teams in the World Baseball Classic, are North American scouts going to start traveling in Asia, competing for talent before it’s under contract in those countries? Wouldn’t you rather see Ichrio and Godzilla in their early twenties than their early thirties?
The competition would be very good for Asian players overall. If they need to compete with the US for the best players, salaries are going to go up. I hope we’re close to seeing the trickle of Asian players turn into a gusher.
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My understanding is that we are allowed to raid prospects. Our agreement has to do with players who have had contracts with Nippon League and KBO organizations.
Since Ichiro’s move it has increasingly become an issue for young Japanese players to decide whether they should sign a contract with a Nippon League team or try their hands at the MLB minor leagues. Most have been choosing Nippon since they can expect to be successful there, but with the way the Asians have been playing in this tournament that could change very quickly.
Seung-Yeop Lee, in particular, should see a LOT of interest from the major leagues. They say he jumped to a Japan League team last year (was it the Chiba Lotte Marines?) and will be with the Yomiuri Giants this year.
I’m pretty sure Lee played with the Marines last year.
I had the pleasure of studying abroad in Japan last summer, and my university was in Chiba–went to see the Marines play more than once (though they lost both times I went), and I remember it was a big deal (among myriad other things about their team) for them to be carrying a Korean slugger in their lineup.