The San Diego Padres made a significant move to bolster their bullpen by signing Korean relief pitcher Woo Suk Go to a two-year contract. The deal, which is worth $4.5 million, was confirmed by an ESPN source and reported by the New York Post. This signing brings a promising 25-year-old right-hander with a strong track record of success in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) to the Padres’ pitching staff.
Woo Suk Go served as the closer for the LG Twins in the KBO for the past five years before joining the Padres. During his time with the LG Twins, he amassed an impressive total of 139 saves and maintained a stellar 2.39 ERA from 2019 to 2023. In 2022, Go delivered an exceptional season, posting a 1.48 ERA and leading the KBO with 42 saves. He showcased his ability to strike out batters by recording 80 strikeouts while issuing 21 walks in just 60 2/3 innings. Although his performance dipped slightly in 2023, with an increased ERA of 3.68 and a higher WHIP of 1.36, Go demonstrated his resilience by allowing only two home runs in 44 innings.
Go will join the Padres’ backend bullpen, which already boasts prominent pitchers like Robert Suarez and Yuki Matsui. Matsui, a Japanese left-hander, signed an impressive five-year, $28 million deal just prior to Christmas. With the addition of Woo Suk Go, the Padres’ bullpen becomes even stronger, with a diverse mix of talented pitchers from different backgrounds and pitching styles. Go brings a robust repertoire, relying primarily on his mid- to high-90s fastball and a devastating low-90s cutter. Additionally, he possesses the ability to utilize a highly effective 12-to-6 breaking ball to stymie opposing hitters.
As part of the KBO posting system, the Padres will be responsible for paying the LG Twins, Go’s former team, 20% of the guaranteed amount of his contract, which totals $900,000. This financial arrangement ensures that the LG Twins will receive compensation for their player’s departure and supports the development of the KBO as a league.
The San Diego Padres made a shrewd move by securing the services of Woo Suk Go, a talented relief pitcher from the KBO. With his impressive track record and diverse pitching arsenal, Go has the potential to become a valuable asset for the Padres’ bullpen. As he joins the likes of Robert Suarez and Yuki Matsui, the team’s pitching staff looks poised to deliver excellent performances in the upcoming season. The Padres’ investment in Go not only strengthens their roster but also contributes to the growth and development of the global baseball community.
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