SEOUL – The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) has formally requested Major League Baseball (MLB) to post All-Star closer Go Woo-suk, making the 25-year-old pitcher available for MLB teams. This move follows MLB's earlier status check on Go, a key player for the LG Twins.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Once MLB notifies its clubs of Go's availability, a 30-day negotiation period will commence at 8 a.m. Eastern Time the following morning, concluding at 5 p.m. ET on the 30th day. If Go fails to secure a deal during this window, he will not be eligible for posting again until November 1, 2024.
Go Woo-suk, recognized as one of the top closers in the KBO since assuming the role in 2019, has achieved 139 saves from 2019 to 2023, the highest in the league during this period. With 334 strikeouts and a 2.39 ERA over these seasons, he has established a formidable presence on the mound. Go played a pivotal role in helping the LG Twins secure their first Korean Series title in 29 years, recording the final outs in the decisive Game 5 earlier this month.
Under the terms agreed upon by the Twins, Go will only be released for a satisfactory offer, considering the financial implications for the KBO team. The KBO's release fee structure depends on the guaranteed value of the player's contract with an MLB team. For contracts up to $25 million, the fee is 20 percent of the total value. For contracts between $25 million and $50 million, the fee includes 20 percent of the first $25 million and 17.5 percent of any amount exceeding $25 million. Contracts exceeding $50 million follow a similar incremental fee structure.
Go, eligible for posting after completing the equivalent of seven full KBO seasons, overcame injury challenges this season, still managing 15 saves in 44 appearances. His participation in international tournaments, including the Olympics and the World Baseball Classic, contributed additional days to his KBO service time, enabling him to meet the required active roster duration.
Known for his powerful pitching, Go topped the KBO reliever speed charts in 2023, averaging 152.5 kph with his fastball according to Statiz, a KBO statistics site. This distinction as one of the hardest-throwing relievers in the league enhances his appeal to MLB teams.