Cubs reportedly agree to terms with reliever Chang-Yong Lim – MLB News
The Chicago Cubs’ lookout for relievers continues.
On Thursday, Dec. 13, reports surfaced that the Cubs have agreed to terms with reliever Chang-Yong Lim, on a split contract of $5 million. The 36-year old South Korean reliever is currently recovering from Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
This was the second operation that he had, and the deal would bring him to the team not before 2014 as he will take time to recuperate. In 2012, he could only pitch in nine games; prompting Yakult Swallows to release him after he was associated with them for five seasons.
The South Korean reliever comes with a fair deal of experience; having had 128 saves in his 238 appearances with 2.09 ERA. His 231 strikeouts in 233 frames speak volume for his power and effectiveness as the reliever.
From different offers that Chang-Yong Lim got – mainly the Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and the Chicago Cubs along with a few teams in Japan, his coming to Chicago Cubs shows his willingness to embraces challenges.
"I am happy that my dream has finally come true," Lim told the Yonhap News Agency. "I am not getting any younger, and it's great to have the chance to experience something I never have before. I am going to tackle this challenge head on."
While the deal has been agreed, the Cubs have not formally confirmed it yet. But as Lim told reporters, he expects to be on the field in 2014. All that, of course, depends on the confirmation of the deal.
"The Cubs expect to see me back on the field in 2014, rather than next year," Lim told the Yonhap News. "Once the deal is signed, I will move to Arizona, where the Cubs operate a rehab center. My goal is to continue to rehab and get back on the mound by mid to late season next year."
After signing pitchers like Scott Feldman and Scott Baker lately, the Cubs moved to bring in the Japanese Kyuji Fujikawa followed by this – yet to be officially confirmed deal with, South Korean reliever Chang-Yong Lim.
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