In the last week the KBO has made a couple of important transactions including Cubans that could have an impact on next year’s tournament in the Asian country. Guillermo Heredia, who has been a key bat with the SSG Landers returns to the club. While Yasiel Puig also returns to the Kiwoom Heroes and last but not least Cuban-American nked a deal with the Heroes as well.
Heredia who is a two-time All-Star in the KBO signed with SSG for 1.8 million over a season with the club. The talented outfielder set an SSG record last season with 195 hits and 118 runs batted in. In his two years in the circuit he’s slashed .343/.393/.502/.895 with 60 doubles, 33 homeruns, 194 runs batted in and a league batting title last season. The ex-MLBer has found a home in the KBO.
Puig returns to the KBO after a season in the Liga Mexicana de Béisbol with the Rojos del Águila de Veracruz. During his 2022 season with Kiwoom, “The Wild Horse” hit .277 with 21 longballs, 73 runs batted in, six steals and slashed .368/.474/.841. Legal problems prevented the Cuban from playing with the team, but with all that seemingly resolved Puig has the green light to return to the league. Puig signed for roughly 1 million over a year.
Cárdenas, who is of Cuban descent signed with the Samsung Lions last season and played in seven games until injures cut his season short eventually leading to his release by the team. The utilityman is a career minor leaguer that spent time in the Rays and Phillies farm systems. In his six seasons on the farm he has belted 109 doubles, 99 homeruns, 19 triples and drove in 362 runs over that span. The native of Los Angeles, California, who signed for 600 K adds some protection for Puig in the Heroes’ lineup.