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PHOENIX, Arizona - "Love calls" from U.S. Major League teams are pouring in for Boston Red Sox pitcher Kim Byoeng-hyeon, 24. The team¡¯s owner, Theo Epstein, who is attending baseball's winter meetings in New Orleans, said that after the signing of reliever Keith Foulke, calls were pouring in from teams requesting a trade, and considering the talent of the Red Sox's pitchers, it was only natural to be interested.
Epstein didn't mention a specific player, but it is a well-known fact that because of the signing of Foulke, Boston has two cards to play: Kim Byeong-hyeon and Scott Williamson. It¡¯s likely that most of the callers are sounding out a trade for Kim.
But since media reports say that Epstein is looking to minimize costs this year, he emphasized that he would not sell Kim. In an interview with ESPN's Jason Stark, Epstein said it was true that because of the signing of Curt Schilling and Keith Foulke, he needs to lighten the financial burden on his team. But he emphasized that while some trades were for the money, only trades that secure players in line with a team's strategy pay off.
Epstein¡¯s comments suggest that Boston might re-sign Kim if they do not successfully trade him before the contract deadline of December 21. A recent report in the Boston Globe, however, said that if Kim is not traded by the deadline, Boston will non-tender him.
(Pak Jin-hyeong, jinp@chosun.com )
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