"I'm just glad that more Korean players are coming here to play. I'm excited for it," Kang said. "It's going to be a very important season for Byung Ho and Hyun Soo. ... It's fun to have those friends around, definitely."
The Twins won the bidding for Park, a first baseman, and signed him to a four-year, $12 million contract in early December. The Orioles added Kim, an outfielder, on a two-year, $7 million deal in late December. Both deals might not have happened without Kang's instant success in the big leagues.
"Last year, Jung Ho Kang did a great job in America, so now I have the responsibility to carry that on," Kim said last week.