It doesn't matter if I get a qualifying offer or not, shoulder surgery Kim Ha-sung returns from April to May..."It's going to be broad in demand."
Oct 13, 2024
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Local media outlet San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the 13th (Korea time) 'Kim Ha-sung is aiming for mid-to-late April or early May next year on the timing of his return to play the game'
On the 11th, Kim Ha-sung underwent surgery to seal the right shoulder's sternoclastic micro rupture from Dr. Neil Elatrice in LA. Dr. Elatrice is an elbow and shoulder specialist who also performed surgery on Ryu Hyun-jin's shoulder and elbow, and in September last year, he was in charge of surgery on Shohei Ohtani's right elbow.
However, the San Diego club did not mention the timing of Kim Ha-sung's return while announcing his surgery. It is highly likely that it was not appropriate to reveal the timing of the return, which is not even certain, ahead of whether or not to implement mutual options. Usually, it takes 6 to 12 months to rehabilitate. Ryu Hyun-jin returned in early July of the following year after undergoing surgery in May 2015 to reconstruct his left shoulder.
In the case of Kim Ha-sung, the rehabilitation period is not up to one year because it is a micro rupture. If he is able to return to the FA market in April or early May next year, there may be several places that appreciate Kim Ha-sung among clubs looking for shortstop and all-weather infielders.
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This winter, the FA market's QO is $21.05 million, the highest ever. If you accept the QO proposed by the original team, you can become an FA again after playing for the corresponding amount next season. Strictly speaking, there is nothing bad about Kim Ha-sung being presented with a QO. This is because last year's offense, which hit a career high, has been on the decline this year and has not been properly valued due to a shoulder injury.
QO will be played within five days after the end of the World Series. In other words, the San Diego club will have time to consider whether to choose a mutual option for Kim Ha-sung or whether to present a QO for the next three weeks. During this period, Kim Ha-sung's rehabilitation status is expected to be closely checked.
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Putting these situations together, Kim Ha-sung will sign a two-year contract, but he will likely be able to exercise the opt-out after one season. Agent Scott Boras, who recently joined hands, is also expected to push for Kim Ha-sung's contract in this direction.
One of Boras' clients signed an FA contract after shoulder surgery. Michael Confoto had shoulder surgery in 2022 and signed a two-year, $36 million contract with the San Francisco Giants in January 2023, which took the entire season off that year, putting him on opt-out terms at the end of 2023. However, Confoto did not exercise the opt-out.
jhno@sportschosun.com
