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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted at 11:47 p.m., Tuesday, January 6, 2009

MLB: Phillies finalize 1-year deal with Chan Ho Park

Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA — Chan Ho Park and the World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies finalized their $2.5 million, one-year contract on Tuesday.

"We've acquired a veteran guy who can pitch in either a starting role or as a reliever," Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He will come to spring training and be given every opportunity to compete for a spot in the starting rotation."

The 35-year-old right-hander went 4-4 with a 3.40 ERA in 54 appearances for the Los Angeles Dodgers last season. He was 1-0 with a 2.16 ERA as a starter and 3-4 with a 3.84 ERA in relief. Park could compete with Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ and prospect Carlos Carrasco for the fifth spot in the rotation. Adam Eaton, under contract for $8.5 million next season, isn't in the mix.

An All-Star in 2001, Park can earn an additional $2.5 million in performance bonuses based on starts from 15-27, innings from 110-170, games from 30-70 and games finished from 35-55.

Park averaged 15 wins per season from 1997-2001 with the Dodgers. He was a combined 75-49 in that time with a career-high 18 wins in 2000. In 98 career relief appearances, he is 5-7 with a 4.44 ERA.

"I'm very happy to be a Phillie," Park said. "It's an honor to be on a championship team. I was trying to beat them in the playoffs last year and now I'm trying to help them win another championship."

The Phillies beat the Dodgers in the NL championship series in five games and defeated Tampa Bay in five games to capture their second World Series title.

Originally signed by the Dodgers in 1994, Park is 117-92 with a 4.34 ERA in 378 career games (280 starts) for Los Angeles, Texas, San Diego and the New York Mets.