NC Dinos’ foreign pitcher Eric Peddy, 30, who won the 2023 Baseball World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his dominant performance, said he is keeping all options open regarding his future.
However, he added that he will make his family and life the criteria for his choice.
He indirectly revealed his intention to return to the Major League Baseball (MLB).
“I think I’ll have to talk to NC (about re-signing) first,” Pedi told reporters after winning the regular-season MVP award at the 2023 Shinhan Bank SOL KBO Awards ceremony held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on Sunday, adding, “All possibilities are open. NC is a really great team,” he said.
However, Pedi also said, “Whatever choice I make, the most important criteria will be my family,” and “NC will always have a place in my heart.” This could be interpreted as a farewell to NC.
Peddie, who played for the Washington Nationals in the MLB from 2017 to last year, pitched in 30 KBO games for NC this year, going 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA and 209 strikeouts, leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts.
The MVP trophy was a no-brainer for Pedi. He swept the MVP voting, receiving 102 of the 111 available votes, and won the trophy by a comfortable margin.
Pedi will likely return to the MLB. Local media outlets in the U.S., such as MLB.com, have been speculating on Peddy’s return to the MLB, and he’s been making a killing.
Regardless of his future plans, Pedi thanked the KBO, the NC, and his teammates.
“When I first came to the KBO, I didn’t expect to do so well,” he said, “I’m very honored.”
“I felt like a stranger at first, but thanks to my teammates, I was able to adapt well and performed well,” he said.
“2023 was the best year of my baseball career,” he said, adding, “I don’t think there will ever be another season like this one.”
Peddie also had an emotional message for his teammates who helped him adjust to life in Korea.
“Si-hoon Kim has been a big help since spring training in Arizona,” he said, “especially when he tried to learn English. We became best friends while eating together.”
He also praised homegrown starter Shin Min-hyuk, saying, “Without him, (the team) would have had a hard time this postseason,” adding, “He’s a really great player.”
Pedi also talked about Hanwha Eagles starting pitcher Moon Dong-ju, who was named Rookie of the Year.
He said he had a lot of questions for the rookie, and they had a deep conversation during a road trip to Changwon this season.
As it turned out, Pedi won the MVP award and Moon won the Rookie of the Year award, so they stood on the podium together.
“When I was taking a picture with him, he told me that I should get the (MVP) trophy I’m holding next time,” Pedi said. “He said he would do his best, too. It’s a very meaningful day.”
Pedi arrived in Korea on the 26th to attend the ceremony and will return to the US on the 28th. He’ll take some time to relax in his hometown and look for a new team. 슬롯게이밍