"If you defend GG at No. 6-7, you can reach 41.1 billion won in 2 years." LAD to NYY? More teams want Kim Ha-sung
"If you defend GG at No. 6-7, you can reach 41.1 billion won in 2 years." LAD to NYY? More teams want Kim Ha-sung
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Kim Ha-sung, who recently formed a link with the LA Dodgers due to a report by The Athletic, is being discussed as a possibility that he will wear a pin stripe uniform for the New York Yankees this time.메이저놀이터
The U.S. "Spotting News" mentioned Kim Ha-sung's possibility of the Yankees on the 26th (Korea time), saying, "The New York Yankees are expected to recruit a $28 million (about 41.1 billion won) gold glove to replace Gleyber Torres."
Prior to the 2021 season, Kim Ha-sung signed a four-plus-one-year, $39 million (about 57.2 billion won) contract with the San Diego Padres to stage his dream big league. Although his first season of debut was not impressive, Kim Ha-sung, who grew up as a key shortstop in 2022, began to show off his talent in earnest when he was selected as the final candidate for the Gold Glove in the National League shortstop category.
In particular, with the acquisition of Xander Bogaerts in the offseason in 2022, as the number of main shortstop resources San Diego has increased to "three," Kim Ha-sung has also become the protagonist of numerous trade rumors. And Kim Ha-sung, who moved to second base in the 2023 season, spent the "career high" season, holding gold gloves in his arms in the "utility" category. After winning the Gold Glove, Kim Ha-sung's value has simply hit the sky.
However, Kim Ha-sung wore the San Diego uniform this year as well, and his performance this season ahead of his acquisition as a free agent (FA) was clearly disappointing. Most of the defense and hitting indicators fell compared to last season, and he even suffered a shoulder injury at the end of the season. Kim Ha-sung, who did not seem to have been a major injury at first, was in a bad condition, and he eventually underwent surgery. As a result, Kim Ha-sung's value has fallen significantly and he has yet to find his destination.
The team that formed the most connection with Kim Ha-sung in the early stages of the stove league was the San Francisco Giants, where "best friend" Lee Jung-hoo is involved. However, as San Francisco recruited Willy Adames, not Kim Ha-sung, the possibility of sharing a room with Lee Jung-hoo completely disappeared. Since then, major U.S. media have not mentioned Kim Ha-sung's name, but Ken Rosenthal of "The Athletic" spotlighted Kim Ha-sung for the first time in a long time last week.
If the Los Angeles Dodgers fail to re-sign Teoscar Hernandez, they could recruit Kim Ha-sung as Plan B. Of course, Rosenthal declined to comment on the possibility of the plan becoming a reality, but if Mookie Betts and Tommy Edman's traffic arrangement is made, Kim Ha-sung would have a place to play. Among these, Kim Ha-sung was even mentioned to the New York Yankees this time. Currently, the Yankees lack one resource to take charge of the center infield. That's why Gleyber Torres qualified as an FA.
The Sporting News reported, "The Yankees didn't want to lose Juan Soto, but they did almost everything they could to fill the void in such a short period of time. Multiple All-Star players including Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt will join the team of Finn Stripe in 2025. However, there is only one major hole left to fill. He is a solid glove to support the pitching staff."
"Spotting News" then said, "From the Yankees' point of view, Kim Ha-sung's strength is his ability to take on all infield positions. Of course, Anthony Volpey will play shortstop for more than 160 games, but Kim Ha-sung can enter as a second baseman or third baseman," and added, "Kim Ha-sung can keep his position with a career-high 99 OPS+ and a 0.326 on-base percentage." In the Yankees' lineup, he even mentioned the specific batting order, saying, "If you play Gold Glove's defense in the sixth and seventh, it will be worth it."
If so, what is the expected contract size if he heads to the Yankees? The media reported, "Kim Ha-sung has completed a four-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres. And with a two-year contract, he can receive a similar total. If he recovers quickly from shoulder surgery, he can be ready to play in the opening game, which is a huge windfall."
It was not just that. "If the Yankees are willing to spend a little more, they can recruit Kim Ha-sung," the U.S.-based Empires Sports Media reported. "Kim Ha-sung's offense is average. However, defense and speed can change the game. If the Yankees are willing to stay without Kim for several weeks to start 2025, it could be most meaningful."
Kim Ha-sung, who seemed to become a duck egg of Nakdong River after his trip to San Francisco failed, will be wearing the uniform, however, given that the Dodgers and Yankees are forming a strong connection with the Big Club.