Ex-Athletics RHP Daniel Mengden to Play in Korea with Kia Tigers

Daniel Mengden with the Oakland Athletics in 2017. Photo by Chris Szagola/CSM/Shutterstock (9064214e)

Veteran right-hand pitcher Daniel Mengden will continue his baseball journey in South Korea, where he signed a one-year deal with Kia Tigers.

Reportedly, Mengden will earn a base salary of $425,000 in 2021 while also receiving a signing bonus of $300,000. He can push his earnings to $1 million with incentives.

The Tigers, who are 11-time Korean Series champions, confirmed the deal on their social media on Friday.

Mengden was limited by injuries in 2020, playing only four games last season with Oakland Athletics and managing 3.65 ERA and 10 strikeouts. He opted to become a free agent this offseason after the team decided there is no place for him on their 40-man roster and designated the 27-year-old player for assignment.

It isn’t a surprise that Mengden chose to play overseas, as he would probably be a long-shot to make the MLB roster to start the 2021 season. In Korea, however, he will be guaranteed to play and might resurrect his career enough to get another chance in the United States.  

Daniel Mengden was drafted in the fourth round of the 2014 MLB Draft by Houston Astros but ended up being traded to Oakland as part of the Scott Kazmir trade. Mengden made his majors debut in 2016 and has since played 60 games (48 starts).

Mengden’s MLB career stats include a 17-20 record, 4.67 ERA, and 221 strikeouts.