*This content was translated by AI.
As the LG Twins unexpectedly signed veteran starting pitcher Carlos KARA SCO (39), who has 112 career wins in Major League Baseball (MLB), U.S. local media are closely watching the future of right-handed relief pitcher Yacel Lios (33), who will leave the team due to the repercussions of this contract. Given that he threw an average fastball of 98 mph (approximately 158 km/h) on the KBO stage, some forecasts even suggest he could return directly to the big leagues.
On the 22nd (Korean time), U.S. sports specialty outlet MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR) reported on LG's signing of KARA SCO and also gave significant attention to Lios' waiver release, expressing interest in his future moves.
Regarding Lios' release, MLBTR stated, "It was somewhat unusual and surprising since his performance and pitching were not poor." While wearing the LG uniform, Lios pitched 17⅓ innings, recording an ERA of 3.63, 17 strikeouts, 16 hits allowed, and 7 walks.
Nevertheless, the media interpreted LG's decision to part ways with Lios as an inevitable choice due to a gap in the starting rotation. With recent instability in the starting rotation leading to consecutive "relief days" and overloading the bullpen, the club was seen as making a bold move by swapping one of its foreign player quotas from relief to starting pitching.
The outlet forecasted that "Lios, now a free agent (FA), has a strong possibility of being called up by MLB teams through minor league contracts or other means." Before joining the KBO this season, he recorded only 17 innings with an ERA of 4.24 in Triple-A under the Chicago Cubs and also pitched 1⅔ scoreless innings in the majors. Thus, analysts predict that MLB clubs seeking his proven pitching ability will soon extend love calls.
Meanwhile, KARA SCO, who filled Lios' spot, agreed to a contract with LG on this day for a guaranteed remaining season salary of $360,000 (approximately 0.5 billion won). Born in 1987, KARA SCO is the same age as Ryu Hyun-jin (39, Hanwha Eagles) and is a top-tier starting pitcher with a Major League career spanning 17 seasons, 343 games (286 starts), 1,704 innings pitched, 112 wins, 105 losses, and an ERA of 4.24. In 2017, while playing for Cleveland, he led the American League with 18 wins and was named "Comeback Player of the Year" in 2019 after overcoming chronic myeloid leukemia.
Despite not having poor stats this season—35⅓ innings with an ERA of 2.55 in Triple-A under Atlanta—he was released. KARA SCO stated, "I look forward to joining LG, which has the best fans, and I will contribute to the team's return to the championship trophy," before heading to Korea.
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*This content was translated by AI.
