Twins win right to sign Korean slugger Byung Ho Park

The Minnesota Twins have won the rights to Korean first baseman Byung Ho Park, and now have 30 days to negotiate a contract for a slugger who hit 53 home runs in the Korean Baseball Organization last season.

A person with direct knowledge of the Twins' bid confirmed they placed a winning bid of $12.85 million for the 29-year-old right-handed hitter. The person spoke to Paste BN Sports on condition of anonymity because Major League Baseball did not release the winning bid amount.

Park figures to move to designated hitter with the Twins, who have Joe Mauer at first base; they could also shift Rookie of the Year candidate Miguel Sano to third base or the outfield from designated hitter.

Park's potential move from the KBO to MLB comes on the heels of a very successful rookie season by infielder Jung Ho Kang, who batted .287 with 15 home runs and a .355 on-base percentage for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2015. The Pirates signed Kang to a four-year, $11 million contract after winning the right to negotiate with him.

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