Open the floodgates. First it was Japan, then South Korea…could China become the next Far East outlet for American baseball prospects? The New York Yankees seem to think so. Even though the Yankees are not officially the first MLB team to hire a Chinese born baseball player, they are the first club to have the Chinese baseball association’s approval.
The New York Yankees have signed Kai Liu (19-year-old left-handed pitcher) and Zhenwang Zhang (19-year-old catcher), making them the 2nd and 3rd Chinese baseball emigrants [Yankees sign two Chinese teenagers]. The terms of the deals have not been disclosed. Wang Chao was the first Chinese baseball player to migrate to the U.S. in 2002 when he signed with the Mariners.
By bargaining with the Chinese baseball association instead of going around the organization, the Yankees have now established a relationship that the Mariners lack. The Yankees now have the trust of China baseball and may look to bring more prospects to the United States in the near future. One thing is certain: Liu and Zhang will not be the last Chinese baseball players to make their way to the U.S. This is yet another area that sports agents can scout and hope to attain future clients in.
Think about this…the Yankees are the biggest market team in America. China is the largest emerging market. The MLB is looking to play some games in China next year. The Yankees want to be one of the teams that plays in China next year. The Olympics will be held in Beijing, China next year, and baseball is supposed to once again be a recognized sport. I think that this is a smart move by the Yankees, and you may see other teams following suit.
-Darren Heitner
One reply on “The Yankees Now Have A Wang And A Zhang”
Like almost all types of business if you do not look globally you will never keep up. Good for the Yankees getting a head start and more importantly good for baseball as a whole.