A few thoughts on Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang (updated)

Later today, we'll learn the name of the major league club that won the opportuity to negotiate exclusively with Korean shortstop Jung-ho Kang. So far, 18 teams have said they weren't engaged in the bidding through the posting system. But one club reportedly has paid $5,002,015 for the right to hash out a deal with Kang, a 27-year-old slugger who blasted 40 home runs and had 117 RBIs for the Korean Baseball Organization's Nexen Heroes in 2014. Here is a refresher to the posting system used by the KBO and Major League Baseball.

There's a lot of upside for a shortstop who can hit, and Kang carries a career .298/.303/.504 slash line. But he also struck out 106 times in 418 at-bats last year against pitching staffs that might be classified as Triple-A or Four-A. So you have to factor that into the multiyear deal he's seeking for between $5-6 million a season.

At least one national media report has linked the Nationals to Kang, but history tells us that the Nats may or may not be a player in this sweepstakes. Remember when they were linked to Japanese right-hander Yu Darvish during the winter of 2011-12? General manager Mike Rizzo talked about how thoroughly his scouts had vetted Darvish and how impressive a pitcher he was. Then the Nats didn't even bid on him when he was posted. Again, Rizzo would be doing himself a disservice if he trumpeted his plans through the media; better to fly under the radar in such dealings.

The report says the Phillies and Nats are considered the frontrunners for Kang. Philly is an obvious destination, given franchise shortstop Jimmy Rollins was dealt to the Dodgers last week and the fact that Freddy Galvis is currently listed as the starter at short for the retooling team. The Nats are an interesting possibility, given the unsure status of free-agent-to-be Ian Desmond after the 2015 season and concerns that Trea Turner, the player to be named acquired in the three-way deal that sent Steven Souza Jr. to Tampa Bay, might not be ready by then.

Could Kang be shifted to second base to solve the Nationals' biggest offseason hole? There are some concerns by scouts that Kang would only be an average major league shortstop, that his arm strength is OK, but his range and agility are lacking. His home stadium converted to artificial turf in 2008, so playing on natural grass would represent a transition, albeit one that might work in his favor. Other scouts have suggested he might work better as a third baseman or right fielder.

Keep in mind that the Nats are willing to move Anthony Rendon back to second base if they find a third baseman to round out their infield, and that Kang has played third base in international competition. Kang was a catcher in high school, but his versatility led to a position change.

Offensively, Kang employs a pronounced leg kick from an upright stance at the plate. This approach - where he's often standing on one leg at the end of a pitcher's delivery - might work better against slower KBO velocities than it would in the major leagues, where deception and quicker deliveries might offer pitches he can't catch up to. But maybe pitchers would have just as much trouble adjusting to his unique approach with the bat.

The Nationals have scouted Kang in both Korea and in Arizona, where the Heroes held spring training earlier this year. But so have other clubs with holes to fill and money to spend

The track record for middle infielders coming from Asia to the major leagues has been spotty. Tsuyoshi Nishioka and Hiroyuki Nakajima were busts for the Twins and A's, respectively. Tadahito Iguchi started out strong for the White Sox and was part of the 2005 World Series championship team, but finished a four-year career as a journeyman who was traded once and twice released. Akinori Iwamura had two strong seasons for the Rays, reaching the World Series in 2008, but quickly tailed off and bounced around to Pittsburgh and Oakland before returning to Japan, where his career continues today.

Rizzo likes to make big splashes with unexpected moves, but I'm not sure the Nats are a perfect landing spot for Kang. Rosters being crafted for deep postseason runs don't usually include guys who are huge question marks, and Kang doesn't appear to be a sure thing.

Update: According to John Heyman of CBSSports.com, the Pirates won the bidding for Kang.