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Pirates Make Kang Signing Official, No Intentions Of Starting Him In Minors

PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) - The Pirates made official what everyone has been expecting for the last week, the signing of Korean Infielder Jung-ho Kang.

Kang comes to the Pirates after hitting .356 with 40 home runs and 117 RBI and leading the Korean Baseball Organization in both slugging percentage (.739) and OPS (1.198). Kang is a four-time gold glove award winner and four-time All-Star in the KBO.

The Pirates have yet to release terms of the deal, but CBS Sports MLB Writer Jon Heyman had the details.

Kang released the following statement through the team.

"First I want to thank the Nexen Heroes for allowing me the challenge of competing at a major league level," Kang said.  "I'm very excited and humbled by this opportunity. I look forward to joining a great group of teammates and I am ready to work hard to help the Pirates win any way that I can."

General Manager Neal Huntington held a teleconference with the media after the announcement and talked about their plans for Kang.

In terms of the role they're expecting Kang to play, Huntington said he likes the depth this signing gives them.

Huntington added that the organization's expectations are for Kang to be in the major leagues at the start of the year

"We have zero intent to send him to the minor leagues. Our belief is that the best way to transition him to major league baseball is by playing major league baseball."

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