Too harsh a rating, Kim Ha-sung ranked 6th in FA, but only '49 million for 4 years'...Still, `ATL, NYY, and 13 other teams have an eye on it.' U.S. media
Oct 22, 2024
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On the 22nd (Korea time), local media Bleacher Report placed Kim Ha-sung in 6th place in an article titled '2024-2025 Free Agent Ranking, Juan Soto and Top 10'.
The media reported that "'Kim Ha-sung and the Padres have a mutual option of $7 million (or $8 million) in 2025, and although Kim Ha-sung has been sidelined for the last six weeks of this season due to a shoulder injury, there is virtually no possibility that he will implement this option' and that "'Kim Ha-sung is one of only 12 people who have shot bWAR 4.9 or higher in 2022 and 2023 and 2 consecutive years.'"
The players with bWAR 4.9 or higher in two consecutive seasons in 2022 and 2023 are Shohei Ohtani (Dodgers), Juan Soto (Yankees), Mookie Betts (Dodgers), Jose Ramirez (Guardians), Francisco Lindor (Metz), Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Julio Rodriguez (Mariners), Marcus Simien (Rangers), Austin Riley (Braves), Andres Jimenez (Guardians), Kyle Tucker (Astros), and Kim Ha-sung.
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Immediately after the surgery, the San Diego club did not mention Kim Ha-sung's rehabilitation schedule at all, but the local media San Diego Union-Tribune predicted that `Kim Ha-sung aims to return in mid- to late April or early May next year.' This means that he can miss for about a month after the opening of next season, but Blitzer Report believes that it will not significantly affect Kim Ha-sung's FA value.
Bleacher Report has missed 41 games this year and had a depressed season, but he's one of 10 MVPs in San Diego and could do a much better job than the $7 million annual salary set for next year's mutual option. A career OPS of 0.706 predicted that bWAR could affect each club as impressive, but that there would be no problem in signing an eight-figure AAV (average salary) contract for more than four years
In other words, a four-year contract worth more than $10 million in AAV is certain. As some media view Kim Ha-sung as more than $15 million and even more than $20 million, $10 million itself is nothing new.
The eye-catching part is the clubs that are expected to covet Kim Ha-sung. Blitzer Report says Atlanta has an ideal fantastic roster suitable for Kim Ha-sung. At least 10 teams looking for Yankees, Giants and middle infield positions will want to recruit Kim Ha-sung, he predicted.
At the same time, the media introduced 'Kim Ha-sung's market value proposed by Spotrac, a site specializing in annual salaries, is $49 million for four years ($AAV 12.25 million)'. Compared to Teoscar Hernandez, who is ranked lower than Kim Ha-sung, with $71 million for three years and Christian Walker with $66 million for three years, Spotrac's Kim Ha-sung's valuation is stingy.
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jhno@sportschosun.com
