The Cleveland Guardians have made one more move post-trade deadline. But this time, it’s not via trade and it’s not staying stateside.
The club announced that it has sold the contract of veteran right-hander Vince Velasquez to the Lotte Giants of the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO). The 33-year-old had been pitching with Triple-A Columbus this season and will now take his talents overseas for the next chapter of his baseball journey.
Velasquez’s jump to Korea follows a pair of veteran pitching departures at the deadline. But while those were traditional trades to MLB clubs, this transaction opens the door to international play — and it’s not unfamiliar territory for veteran pitchers looking to revive or extend their careers.
Velasquez Brings Big-League Experience to the KBO
Though he didn’t crack the Guardians’ major league roster this year, Velasquez has logged nearly a decade in the majors, making 144 starts across stints with five different clubs from 2015 to 2023.
Most fans remember him best during his six-year tenure with the Phillies, where his electric arm was paired with inconsistency and injury setbacks. Over 726.1 career innings in MLB, he posted a 4.88 ERA, but always showed flashes of brilliance — including 95 strikeouts in 89.1 innings during his best full season in 2016.
This year with Triple-A Columbus, Velasquez showed he still had plenty left in the tank, sporting a 3.42 ERA with 95 strikeouts over 18 starts. However, command issues continued to show up in the form of 50 walks, a longtime issue that limited his MLB staying power.
Still, the right-hander’s raw stuff and veteran savvy will be a valuable addition to a Lotte Giants team currently third in the KBO standings at 58-45, and firmly in the playoff mix.
A Familiar Path for Veterans Seeking Fresh Opportunity
Velasquez joins a growing list of veteran pitchers who have turned MLB experience into international success. Korea’s KBO league has long been a home for players looking to reset. It’s not uncommon to see former big league players do well in a less power-heavy, more contact-oriented league.
Whether it becomes a long-term stay or a route back to the majors, the 33-year-old now gets a chance to contribute meaningfully on a competitive team — something that looked unlikely back in Triple-A.
The Guardians, meanwhile, continue to make modest roster moves as they reshape their depth and farm system. While Velasquez never appeared in a big-league game for the club, his move marks another arm departing the system — just in a different direction than expected.
It’s not a blockbuster, but for a pitcher with nine MLB seasons under his belt, this is a meaningful new beginning. The Lotte Giants get a seasoned starter with upside. Velasquez gets a clean slate.
