SAN FRANCISCO -- When the Giants traded for Hunter Pence six years ago, it was your usual structure. They got the veteran All-Star and the Phillies got three younger players in return, including two prospects, one of whom had star potential.
Now it appears Pence might outlast all three players he was traded for.
Tommy Joseph, the centerpiece of that deal, has signed a $1 million deal to play in South Korea next season, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports.
The other two players the Giants sent the Phillies before the 2012 deadline were outfielder Nate Schierholtz, who hasn't played professionally since 2016, and pitching prospect Seth Rosin, who returned to the Giants organization in 2017 but didn't play last season.
Pence, 35, is working out in Southern California in hopes of finding a big league job next season. It seems likely that he will, at the very least, find a franchise willing to give him an extended look in spring training. Pence hopes a revamped swing gets him back in someone's everyday lineup next season.
Joseph, still just 27, played 249 games for the Phillies and posted back-to-back 20-homer seasons. Originally a promising and powerful catcher, he moved to first base because of concussion issues. He spent all of last season in the minors with the Rangers, hitting 21 homers for their Triple-A squad.
Sports
Joseph is young enough that he certainly could return to the Majors. For now, the former Giants prospect has a lucrative opportunity overseas.
