The KBO’s strongest pitcher, who has been called the ‘mistake of ML’, will eventually return to the major leagues.
The NC Dinos tried to hold on to him by offering him a multi-year contract, but the major leagues came calling with a much bigger offer.
NC’s foreign-born pitcher Eric Peddy will return to the major leagues after making history as the first foreign-born pitcher to win the Triple Crown and regular season MVP. ‘MLB.com’ reporter Mark Paynesand wrote on his social media account on May 5 (KST), “Pedi is close to signing with an unspecified team, according to sources. He is considering a two-year deal worth $5 million or more per year.” “The Chicago White Sox and New York Mets are among the contenders,” the report continued.
At a total of $10 million ($13 billion) over two years, it would be virtually impossible for NC to match any offer. In the KBO, a team can only spend a total of $4 million on three foreign players. If one of them re-signs, they can spend another $100,000. Since NC has put Pedi up for re-signing, the total amount of money NC can spend in the 2024 season to re-sign Pedi and bring in two other players is $4.1 million (KRW 5.3 billion). In other words, even if NC could sign another foreign pitcher and hitter for less money, say $500,000, and pay Pedi $3.1 million, they would still be nearly $2 million behind a major league team. It’s a money game that can’t be won.
Peddy was drafted by the Washington Nationals with the 18th overall pick in the first round of the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. He made his big league debut in 2017 and has appeared in 102 career major league games (88 starts). In his career, he has a 21-33 record with a 5.41 ERA in 454 1/3 innings pitched. A fifth starter for the Nats in their 2019 World Series title, Peddy was a full-time starter for the Nats again this season, going 6-13 with a 5.81 ERA in 27 starts. He was just as consistent in 2021, appearing in 29 games (27 starts). In the minor leagues, he has made 89 career appearances (71 starts), going 23-19 with a 3.69 ERA in 390 1/3 innings.
It’s a case of a major leaguer coming to Korea on a whim and hitting the jackpot. He was equipped with a new pitch, a sweeper, and sent Korean hitters flying. He won 20 games, had a 2.00 ERA, and struck out 209 batters, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He was such a dominant pitcher that after he was hit in the arm by a pitch in the final inning of the season, there were daily questions about when he would pitch in the postseason.
He was so close to his NC teammates that he called them brothers, and he was so committed to the KBO that he flew from the United States to attend the regular season MVP award ceremony. It was no surprise that he was thinking of re-signing with the NC.
However, the prospect of returning to the major leagues, and on good terms, left him with no choice.
NC, the nine clubs, and Korea will have to look back on 2023 with fond memories.