CPBL Foreign Players Updates Volume #156
CTBC Brothers News: Onelki García
On December 25, the CTBC Brothers confirmed the signing of 31-year-old Cuban left-hander Onelki García. According to ETtoday, Onelki García is reportedly on an annual salary close to 500,000 USD.
Onelki García began his professional career playing in the Cuban National Series in 2007. After he defected from Cuba in 2010, he entered the MLB system and played for three organisations from 2012 to 2017. During that time, he spent most of the time in Triple-A but managed to get a few brief stints in the MLB (7.1 innings).
From 2018 to 2020, Onelki García was active in the NPB playing for the Chunichi Dragons and the Hanshin Tigers. In three seasons, he compiled a career record of 3.81 ERA, 1.39 WHIP over 347.2 innings.
CTBC Brothers News: Esmil Rogers
Despite posting a solid 3.47 ERA over 109 innings for the CTBC Brothers in 2020, the team announced on December 25 that they are not re-signing Esmil Rogers for 2021.
According to the Brothers’ GM, they have agreed to terms with a new foreign player, just waiting for the final paperwork. The yet to be named pitcher is a former MLB right-hander with experience in Asia.
So, where does that leave Esmil Rogers?
In the past few weeks, there were rumours that the Fubon Guardians and Wei Chuan Dragons are eyeing Esmil Rogers. But since the Brothers still retain Rogers’ negotiation rights, none of the CPBL teams can officially approach Rogers until March 1, 2021.
UNHITTABLE! The CTBC Brothers' Esmil Rogers tossed a 9-K, 3-hit shutout against the Guardians last night. Rogers' final line: 9 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 BB, 9 K #CPBL ? pic.twitter.com/NnXrTuI6YU
— CPBL STATS (@GOCPBL) September 6, 2020
Further Readings
Foreign players come and goes, therefore we compiled a foreign players tracker to keep track of all the foreign players signing for the 2021 CPBL season.
Could work well but I have a feeling Garcia will flame out due to poor K/BB rates as a starting pitcher.
Rogers could be a good sign for the Dragons. Once the Brothers formally sign a fourth foreign pitcher, they should allow the Dragons to negotiate with and sign (if a deal can be reached) Rogers before March 1. Rogers pitched too well in 2020 not to return for another CPBL season, unless his contract demands are totally unreasonable.