Samsung Lions sign ex-MLB pitcher McGuire

All News 16:06 November 29, 2018

SEOUL, Nov. 29 (Yonhap) -- South Korean baseball club Samsung Lions have signed a former major league right-hander, Deck McGuire.

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team said on Thursday the 29-year-old American has agreed to a one-year deal worth up to US$950,000. McGuire will make $600,000 in guaranteed salary and got a $100,000 signing bonus. He can make an additional $250,000 in incentives.

American pitcher Deck McGuire in his new Samsung Lions uniform after signing with the Korea Baseball Organization club on Nov. 29, 2018, in this photo released by the team. (Yonhap)

The 2010 first round pick by the Toronto Blue Jays made his big-league debut with the Cincinnati Reds in 2017. He rejoined the Jays organization as a free agent and made four appearances in 2018, and then pitched in 17 more games for the Los Angeles Angels after going through the waivers.

He has a 1-3 career record with a 5.23 ERA in 27 major league games.

In the minors, McGuire has gone 61-72 with a 4.31 ERA in 205 appearances, including 184 starts.

The Lions said McGuire is a prototypical power pitcher who can also strike out hitters with his slider and curve.

KBO teams can acquire a maximum two foreign pitchers, and McGuire joins Justin Haley, who signed a one-year deal on Tuesday, in the Lions' rotation.

They have now replaced both of their import arms from the 2018 season: Tim Adleman, who went 8-12 with a 5.05 ERA, and Lisalverto Bonilla, who was 7-10 with a 5.30 ERA.