Hanwha Eagles Sign With 2 Former Major League Pitchers

By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter

Last season's bottom team, the Hanwha Eagles, has acquired new overseas starters to bolster the team.

The Eagles announced that they had secured two starters - Jose Capellan and Julio de Paula of the Dominican Republic - who have both pitched in the major leagues.

Capellan signed a $300,000 contract, including a $50,000 signing bonus. Paula signed on for $270,000 ($200,000 for annual salary, $70,000 for the signing bonus).

The 1.95-meter, right-hander Capellan recorded a 5-7 record with a 4.89 ERA in 99 appearances from 2004 to 2008 in Major League Baseball.

He debuted for the Atlanta Braves in 2004 after elbow surgery. Though he was touted as a top prospect, Capellan didn't live up to the club's expectations.

The Eagles were pursing the 28-year-old, after he recorded a 5-3 record in 10 appearances with a 2.66 ERA in the Dominican winter league. However, this year, he only generated a 2-10 record with a 7.07 ERA in the minor leagues.

"I will treat Korean baseball like it's the major leagues," Capellan said through an Eagles representative.

Meanwhile, Paula was 0-1 in 16 games with an 8.55 ERA for the Minnesota Twins in 2007.

"I used to pitch in the bullpen but I have confidence in my new starter role," Paula said. "Though I didn't show a lot in the majors I will pour all my efforts into the Eagles."

The Eagles, which lost their reliable closer Brad Thomas to the Detroit Tigers and released Eric Junge, need starters to support their lefty ace Ryu Hyun-jin.

"Both have abilities to control the game. They will construct a solid rotation with Ryu," Eagles official said.