Cardinals land Korean relief pitcher Oh

In 2014, he recorded 39 saves with a 1.76 ERA while striking out 81 in 66 2/3 innings. In his most recent season, Seung Hwan slated a 1.15 WHIP in just shy of 70 innings.

Nothing is going to stop South Korean pitcher Oh Seung-Hwan from chasing his American baseball dream-not even a punishment from Korea’s top pro baseball league in connection with his gambling escapade in Macau. The Cardinals re-signed veteran Jonathan Broxton this winter, and Jordan Walden returns for the second and final year of his contract. Rumor has it that the deal and possible team option could be worth around $5 million. In 2013, after nine seasons in Korea, Oh played with the Hanshin Tigers of Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball and had a 2.73 ERA and 8.6 K/9 in 2015.

Nicknamed the “Stone Buddha” and “Final Boss”, Oh will wear uniform no. 26 for the Cardinals.

Oh’s deal with the Cardinals comes soon after he learned of a suspension he’d face if he returned to the Korean Baseball Organization. Manager Mike Matheny said he’s seen Oh on videotape and was impressed, saying “Good stuff is good stuff”. He also has a slider that can compare to a textbook cutter and a slower breaking ball in his repertoire.

Oh said it was “an honor to join such a prestigious major league club” and thanked the Cardinals for showing their faith.

The Cardinals will hire a full-time interpreter for Oh (whose full name is pronounced “sewn whan oh”). The interpreter can also visit the mound if necessary during games to help. And, as a possible relief of Matheny’s great urge to call on Siegrist and Maness so frequently, Oh could enter the game and bridge an inning or two to Trevor Rosenthal.

The Cardinals may have a new right-handed setup man on the way. Then earlier this offseason, they also put in a posting bid for first baseman Park Byung-ho, but the Minnesota Twins won the negotiating rights for him and signed him to a four-year deal.