Smolinski will be released from his minor-league contract with the Rays once his deal with the Korean club is finalized. The outfielder appeared in 67 games for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate in Durham this season, slashing. 270/.360/.504 with 12 home runs and nine steals.

Smolinski came up short in his bid for an Opening Day roster spot after struggling to a .211/.250/.421 line through 18 spring games. The 30-year-old will open the season in the minors, though he could earn a promotion should injuries strike the big club.

The veteran outfielder's exhibition resume includes two doubles, a pair of home runs and four RBI. Smolinski has made a solid case for himself with his opportunity as a non-roster invitee to camp, but he still faces an uphill battle for an Opening Day spot in a crowded Rays outfield. The 30-year-old could certainly serve as organizational depth to open the season in Triple-A Durham, however, and would give the team a quality callup option in the event of an injury.

Smolinksi spent the past three and a half seasons in Oakland, hitting a combined .227/.287/.357 across 175 games with the A's before being outrighted off the roster in October. The 29-year-old will likely get an invitation to spring training, though he figures to serve as organizational outfield depth for the Rays in 2019.