Numerous MLB teams have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Sócrates Brito, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Heyman’s report did not specify which teams might be interested. Brito has spent the last three seasons with the Kia Tigers of the KBO.
Brito, now 32, was once a well-regarded prospect in the Diamondbacks system. He was chosen as the organization’s minor league Minor League Player of the Year in 2015, and most sources considered him one of the team’s top 10 prospects entering the 2016 season. However, he was never able to translate his minor league success to the majors. Over 99 MLB games with the D-backs and Blue Jays from 2015-19, Brito slashed .176/.216/.309 in 218 trips to the plate. Despite his elite sprint speed and solid outfield defense, he produced -0.6 FanGraphs WAR.
After a rough year at Triple-A with the Yankees in 2021, Brito signed a contract with the Kia Tigers and packed his bags for Korea. It turned out to be the right decision. He was named a KBO All-Star in each of his first two seasons with the Tigers. While he did not make the All-Star team in 2024, he set new career highs in home runs, runs scored, and RBI. He also helped his club win the Korean Series for the 12th time in franchise history and the first time since 2017. All told, Brito has slashed .302/.352/.491 with 63 home runs, 40 stolen bases, and an .843 OPS over three seasons in the KBO.
Heyman’s report does not necessarily suggest that Brito is planning (or even trying) to return to affiliated ball. He has enjoyed a successful career so far in Korea, in terms of individual accolades, team accomplishments, and financial compensation. His contract for the 2024 season guaranteed him $800K and contained an additional $400K in incentives. If he can land a similar deal from the Kia Tigers for 2025, one can see why he wouldn’t be interested in returning to North America for anything less than a guaranteed contract. Despite his excellent performance in the KBO, his uninspiring MLB track record could scare off potential suitors from offering such a guarantee.
Edp007
Jays legend
Ducey
077/163/128
There were people watching in the stands who could have done better
Pete'sView
This is so obviously a rumor spread by his agent. “Multiple interest” in this guy? Doubtful.
chiefnocahoma1
Heyman gonna Heyman.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Would they use Socrates in a PLATOon?
Ignorant Son-of-a-b
aris-Totally
DarkSide830
So-Crate, you are a [city name] Athletic!
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Socra-mento
KCMOWHOA
This guy is a hemlock to return to MLB
Lefty_Orioles_Fan
Hey ….it is So Crates
Joe It All
I hear he’s good friends with Billy the Kid.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Playdo or Socrates
Yankee Clipper
Playdo seems more fun from what I remember…
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Play-doh or “Clay” Holmes?
Dumpster Divin Theo
Next level!
Jonathan (NYSportsFan4Life)
WHO? Jhony Brito bettah.
bojacksonship
How’s it going? This is Bill. I’m Ted. We’re from the future! How would you like to play for the San Dimas High baseball team?
Baseballisthebest
Why?
BaseballBrian
“That So Crates dude!”–Theodore “Ted” Logan
Say Hey Now Kid
Was Rosencratz not available to write this story
MLB Top 100 Commenter
You’re confusing him with Guildenstern.
Non Roster Invitee
Their both dead.
Pete'sView
That must be why Brito is receiving so much interest . . . from the underworld.
BaseballBrian
Alas, poor Rosencrantz, I knew him Horatio.”
Non Roster Invitee
Pirates could happen to anyone.
WaterfallEconomics
Só, Heyman’s multiple mystery team theory is philosophically debunked by a website that traffics in rumors
pillow surrealistic
Got to love that name.
Reynaldo's
Brito’s agent paying Heyman big money to write that fluff tweet
Digdugler
This will be Atkins’ big splash.
jerseyjohn
Am I crazy or do these stories make me think anyone coming over from KBO better have Bonds stats? Brito is better at baseball than all of us reading here but… he certainly doesn’t seem worthy of a spot on an MLB roster. Happy for him he’s making great money, he should stay in Korea and invest well. He’ll be able to retire in a few years and live happily.
Joe Sweetnich
Pirates have room. Guarantee him $3M. Plus he’s a left handed hitter
swinging wood
Not to be confused with Plato Quesadilla.
MLB Top 100 Commenter
Too cheesy
rocky7
Didn’t realize that such a marginal ballplayer would draw any interest at all….probably a ruse by his agent that he’s in demand……maybe as a ballboy but 4th outfielder……..
Non Roster Invitee
I saw him play in Reno. Lollygagger.
Bart Harley Jarvis
In addition to being a lollygagger, I’ve heard he’s also a crumbbum.
Lloyd Emerson
I believe I remember “crumbbum” from The Great Brain series of books I read as a kid…
sugoi51
“I drank WHAT?!?” Socrates
spooky
Who is Heyman speaking for this time? It’s a joke every time I read about him saying things like this. A 32 year old never was, is generating interest? Hilarious
Pickle_Britches
I know right… every team has a player like him in their farm probably AA
Mrbarky
Could be another Godzilla Matsui or Roberto Petagine.Definitely worth a look.
RoyalsFanAmongWolves
While a change of scenery could help him, I can’t see that many teams being interested in somebody that hit .179 last year.
Maddog Jameson
Over 99 MLB games with the D-backs and Blue Jays from 2015-19, Brito slashed .176/.216/.309. Not last year.
mlbdodgerfan2015
He hit 0.310 last year at KBO, with 0.875 OPS. Yeah it’s KBO but I can see a team giving him a shot. His failure at MLB level was on extremely small sample sizes. 207 ABs in total and never more than 95 ABs in a single season. Maybe he has matured as a player? You never know.
kingsfan1968
Falling down is not a failure. Failure comes when you stay where you have fallen.
The Saber-toothed Superfife
There is a difference between falling down and being pushed from behind by a total coward.
After being pushed down 50-60 times, you may realize its being done on purpose.and it’s not one jealous.tital.cowrd, but a whole bunch of them, who have decided being cowardly a wholes can be a way of life.
Then you may realize, they were raised by a wholes to be that way. Then you may realize these same cowards now have raised coward children and coward grandchildren.
Then you.may realize there is no use getting up, knowing you will be pushed back down. You will realize what awholes most of the people in this country are.
Why try standing up if.you the only thing you know is you are being assualted by selfish cowards = and you don’t even know.who they are.
Then.you will realize, developing a strategy for standing up is impossible.
Then you.may realize.we are all under attack for looking like we just might be successful more than an awholes child.
Pickle_Britches
Perfect example why KBO stats don’t mean shyte.
kroeg49
He sounds like someone the White Sox would overpay for.
Lloyd Emerson
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cubs are interested in a guy named Sócrates. That’s the epitome of intelligent spending, signing a philosopher.
Paleobros
Dust. Wind. Dude.
itsmeheyhii
I wonder which method teams will approach this negotiation with…