The professional baseball team Lotte Giants is experiencing an exceptionally good opportunity for fall baseball this year. Although it is still May, the atmosphere and momentum are quite positive. However, the vulnerability lies in the injury absence of veteran foreign pitcher Charlie Barnes.
Barnes complained of discomfort in the back of his left shoulder after appearing in the match against NC on the 4th (5⅓ innings, 5 earned runs) and was excluded from the first team roster. He was diagnosed with infraspinatus muscle damage after cross-checking results at the designated team hospital and a hospital in Seoul, with an 8-week rehabilitation recommendation.
The first half is completely out. Additionally, since the infraspinatus muscle affects shoulder mobility near the back of the shoulder and scapula (shoulder blade), it is questionable whether he can recover to his normal form even if he rehabilitates.
He received evaluations indicating a noticeable decline in performance since the start of this season. He has a poor record of 3 wins and 4 losses with an earned run average of 5.32 over 8 games. Most importantly, he had consistently complained of shoulder fatigue after his appearances and eventually got injured.
Lotte is quickly and decisively searching for a foreign player to replace Barnes. Whether it's a temporary or complete replacement, Lotte needs a foreign player to handle the starting rotation. To bring in a temporary substitute foreign player, the existing foreign player diagnosed with more than a 6-week absence can be placed on the rehabilitation list, and a contract can be signed until the player returns. This will not count toward the number of foreign player replacements.
For now, Lotte is considering completely replacing Barnes rather than temporarily filling his absence and waiting for his recovery. They have been steadily compiling a list of candidates for new foreign players. However, the consensus is that there are currently no standout players in the market. There seems to be an atmosphere that suggests players who would require a buyout from their existing teams might be somewhat available.
If a buyout is paid, the salary scale for the new foreign player can only be small. Depending on the timing of the replacement, the maximum amount that can be paid is limited. However, considering a maximum of $100,000 per month with buyout factors, the salary paid to the new foreign player will be reduced.
In fact, Lotte has the easiest path. They have the insurance of Aaron Wilkerson, who joined as a replacement player in the 2023 season and performed well until last year. Wilkerson joined in the second half as a replacement for Dan Straily in 2023 and got off to a strong start with a record of 7 wins and 2 losses in 13 games, with an earned run average of 2.26 over 79⅔ innings. In his successful re-signing last year, he recorded 12 wins and 8 losses in 32 games, with an earned run average of 3.84 over 196⅔ innings. He is a proven player, but Lotte did not re-sign Wilkerson due to issues such as his age in his late 30s, pitch clock application, and changes in the stadium environment. Tucker Davidson is the player who replaced Wilkerson.
Davidson is currently recording 5 wins with no losses and an earned run average of 1.70 over 47⅔ innings in 8 games, making the foreign player replacement so far successful. Although they did not re-sign Wilkerson, Lotte currently holds the rights to Wilkerson. If Wilkerson is to return to South Korea, Lotte is the only option available.
Lotte can also consider Wilkerson as a candidate. He is currently with the Triple-A Louisville Bats, affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds, sporting a record of 3 wins and 1 loss with an earned run average of 4.89 over 7 games. However, Lotte is looking for a younger pitcher who can overwhelm opponents rather than sticking with a proven player like Wilkerson. He remains the last resort.
Although Wilkerson seems to be out of contention, Lotte is trying to move quickly and carefully with foreign pitcher signings to maintain the current good momentum. They aim to avoid repeating last year's mistakes. Last year, when Barnes was sidelined due to a groin injury, the initial assessment was 2 to 3 weeks, but trusting the U.S. medical examination allowed almost two months of inactivity. They are eager to bring in a new face quickly, learning from last year's mistakes and failures.
Lotte recently won a series against SSG with 2 wins and 1 loss, including a doubleheader against KT over the weekend, ending with 2 wins and 1 tie in their last 3 games. They maintain a record of 24 wins, 16 losses, and 2 ties, with a winning percentage of .600, securing 3rd place. Replacement starter Lee Min-seok pitched well against KT in the second game of the doubleheader on the 11th, throwing 6 innings with 1 earned run, but the presence of a foreign pitcher is necessary.
Manager Kim Tae-hyung emphasized the importance of a new foreign pitcher. Before the doubleheader against KT on the 11th, he said, 'We don’t have a number one starter right now. The calculations run a bit smoother if a number one starter comes in, but we’re essentially operating with 2 starting pitchers (Park Se-woong and Tucker Davidson) right now. So, the calculations can’t work out.' He added, 'For the time being, the middle relievers need to hold it down.' If they go through the season without a foreign starter, it will ultimately overload the bullpen. The Lotte bullpen is already showing signs of overload.
Furthermore, Manager Kim Tae-hyung reiterated, 'There’s no choice left. We need to bring in a decent player from the existing foreign players available right now. If we’re to wait for better players, it’ll have to be June. The club has to bring in a player from those available in the meantime.'
With Davidson and native ace Park Se-woong firmly establishing a one-two punch, if a new foreign pitcher joins, Lotte can certainly secure their spot in the upper ranks. Will Lotte's new foreign pitcher join soon?
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