The Twins designated $24.85 million investment Byung Ho Park for assignment Friday, taking the 30-year-old slugger off the 40-man roster to make room for new reliever Matt Belisle.
But the Twins have no problem with bringing the South Korean to spring training, new Chief Baseball Officer Derek Falvey said.
Park is under contract for three more seasons and would be owed $9.25 million, so it's unlikely another team would claim him. If he clears waivers, the Twins likely would bring him to camp as a nonroster invitee. All indications are that this is a calculated move to clear a spot for Belisle.
"We'll see how things go over the next few days and see if there is an opportunity for him in spring training," Falvey said.
A player designated for assignment goes through a 10-day period on waivers.
The Twins paid Nexen, Park's South Korean team, a $12.85 million posting fee in December 2015. They signed the two-time Korean MVP to an incentive-laden, four-year contract with a maximum value of nearly $22 million, including annual salaries of $2.75 million in 2016 and '17 and $3 million in 2018 and '19. The Twins have a 2020 option at $6.5 million with a $500,000 buyout.
Park played in 62 games for the Twins last season, mostly at designated hitter, with 12 home runs but a .191 average and 80 strikeouts in 215 at-bats. After being demoted to Class AAA Rochester July 1, he hit .224 with 10 homers in 31 games. His 2016 season ended in August when he opted to have surgery to repair a tendon on the back of his right hand.
If he does remain with the Twins, the club hopes the experience received last season — as well as healthy hands — will benefit him.
