Hungry for BK?

I still look forward to getting a satisfactory explanation for what happened to Byung-Hyun Kim.

It seems like he's been around forever, but he is still just 26 years old, which must make him the youngest member of the "Where are they now?" club. And, more importantly, BK still owns the following career line:

419.2 IP, 0.9 HR/9, 9.67 K/9, 3.77 BB/9, 3.37 ERA

I am aware that he gave up some very ill-timed home runs, and that his health and control were very much in question when he fell from grace in Boston. Especially considering his $6M price tag, it's no surprise that the trade rumors have sprung more from Theo's dissatisfaction than the plethora of suitors for Kim's services.

What I can't understand is how no one seems to care. He was sent to Korea to see a specialist, ostensibly to help his balance or straighten his posture or something, and has not been heard from again... until an ugly 1.1 IP on Sunday (2 earned on 3 walks and a hit with 2 Ks). Even Baseball Prospectus has conceded that it's possible that he just can't handle big games.

I have a hard time accepting that after over 400 major league innings, many of them of the 8th and 9th variety, this guy just lost the psychological handle. I need to see him get shelled some more before I believe he's really not the same pitcher, a much longer stretch of ball fours and big flies. 17 innings during which he may have been injured is not going to convince me.

I don't want to send Mike Cameron away for him, but if he can be had for a song, as I suspect he can, hopefully with the Sox picking up some of his contract, I think it would be an excellent chance to take.

Notes

Kris Benson is/was on the hill today against the Orioles. I'd love to get excited about this guy. I really would.

Jose Reyes has looked very good and very healthy thus far. He has stolen 4 bags, running without that painful looking hitch that he adopted upon his return from his hamstring injury last year.