The San Diego Padres reportedly have their replacement for Josh Hader.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported on Tuesday that the Padres are close to signing Korean closer Woo Suk Go.
Korean righthander Woo Suk Go close to signing with Padres. Likely to be their closer.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2024
Adding Go would mark the second Asian relief pitcher with closing experience signed by the Padres this offseason. The team added Yuki Matsui two weeks ago on a five-year deal. Matsui had 39 saves last season for the Rakuten Golden Eagles in Japan. Go pitched 44 innings for the LG Twins in Korea last season.
The Padres also have Robert Suarez as a late-inning option. Though Suarez had a 4.23 ERA last season, he 2.27 ERA in 45 appearances the year before.
The Padres are poised to lose Hader, who has served as the team’s closer since they acquired him prior to the 2022 trade deadline. Hader had 40 saves in his season and a half with the Padres.
