Chong deciding between Korea and Orioles -- not a medical holdup
South Korean right-hander Chong Tae-Hyon is deciding between staying in his native country to continue to play baseball or accept the Orioles’ offer to join their 40-man roster.
The holdup in signing the 33-year-old submariner is not medical but instead is based on whether he wants to leave Korea for the United States.
Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said he hopes to have a decision in a week or so. This is the first time Chong has been a free agent, and the eight-time Korean Baseball Organization All-Star is being pursued heavily in his own country.
If Chong chooses the Orioles – who likely would be offering a multiyear deal and a 40-man roster spot – he would be the first player to go directly from the KBO to the majors. That certainly has its allure.
The Orioles had hoped that Chong would sign last week. He has been in for a physical, but the sides have not reached an official agreement.
A Baltimore native, 
Comments
Speaks volumes when someone would rather stay in Korea than make the big bucks to play in the majors in Baltimore.
Posted by: Reality Check | November 30, 2011 2:57 PM
Even choosing between North Korea and the Orioles would be a tough decision.
This process of posting is absolute BS. Isn't paying for a subscription proof that we're human, or just proof that we're stupid?
Posted by: Anonymous | November 30, 2011 3:24 PM
Aw, shucks...I thought we had this guy convinced that our Confederate money worked in Korea..
Posted by: Dennis in WV | November 30, 2011 3:38 PM
I guarantee that Chong plays in Korea. Anybody want to challenge me?
Posted by: goldmurano | November 30, 2011 5:01 PM
Would he have the same quandary if deciding between Korea and another MLB team? No I wouldn't challenge you.
Posted by: Bargab | November 30, 2011 5:49 PM
Reality check...ya, it's definitely a no brainer for someone to leave their home country for a place where they don't know anyone and don't speak the language.
I think you need a reality check.
Posted by: Christopher | November 30, 2011 8:18 PM
Sign a pitcher named Wang so "Everyone can Wang Chong tonight".
Posted by: Lee | November 30, 2011 11:03 PM
I think alot of people love to come on here and spew their negativity. Trust me I do not live with orange and black blinders on my eyes and think the O's are one Korean pitcher from contending but I also don't purposely come on these boards just to show how cool I am to blast them. I share the same opinion that the O's may never be competitive as long as Angelos owns them but that idea may be wrong. This organization is screwed up from top to bottom but stating the obvious that they are a horribly run franchise is completely monotonous. Heaven forbid that the same opinions are stated about how the Ravens can field a competitve team year in and year out but choke away Lombardi dreams every January.
Posted by: Jay-P | November 30, 2011 11:51 PM
Brad Thomas is the first to jump from the KBO to the MLB.
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Response from Steve Gould:
Thomas did jump from KBO to MLB, but he also had pitched in the majors before his time in Korea. I think Dan was saying that Chong would be the first player to make his major league debut straight out of the KBO.
Posted by: Anon | December 1, 2011 4:29 AM
Do you guys really think the O's struggles are known worldwide? Who knows the Japanese league team with the longest history of ineptitude? Some folks think the world revolves around their petty existence, LOL. A Korean league guy, if given the chance to play in the ML would be more focused on the cultural differences unless he had multiple offers.
Posted by: johnny c | December 1, 2011 7:43 AM
Even worse than the complaining about the team is the complaining about the payment for subscription.
Absolutely the world knows about the O's struggles. Korea is not a 3rd world country. And we don't know which of Korea's teams suck. We're ugly Americans and don't need to know!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 2, 2011 1:05 PM