'Best Friend' Kim Ha-sung-Lee Jung-hoo, doomed to meet in the end...'Kim Ha-sung, Time for SF' U.S. media reports daily

Nov 26, 2024

Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo meet on the ground before the game when San Francisco and San Diego faced off at Petco Park earlier this season. Photo = MLB.TV Capture

FA Kim Ha-sung is expected to sign with San Francisco. AP Yonhap News

There were reports twice a day that the San Francisco Giants were the leading team to recruit FA Kim Ha-sung. Regardless of whether Kim Ha-sung's contract is signed or not, it seems clear that San Francisco is a club urgently looking for shortstop.

Buster Posey, a legendary San Francisco catcher who took the presidency this offseason, attended the Major League Baseball general manager's meeting on the 7th (Korea Standard Time) and said, `It would be great to bring a shortstop. Tyler Fitzgerald has done well at shortstop this year, and he has the quality to play a more diverse role in the infield"I think it's difficult to play multiple positions in a season, but we're discussing whether it's better for him to play second base in the long run," he said.

This means that recruiting FA shortstop this winter has been a top priority. Naturally, attention is bound to be paid to Kim Ha-sung. Willy Adames, the biggest shortstop, could also be a candidate, but he needs to give at least $150 million over a 6-7 year contract period, and if it's Juan Soto, Corbyn Burns or Blake Snell, it doesn't seem likely that San Francisco will make such an unreasonable investment.

On the other hand, Kim Ha-sung's market value has fallen significantly compared to before the season due to the shoulder injury that ended the season early in August, so the clubs do not feel much pressure. The Athletic suggested Kim Ha-sung's market value at $130 million to $150 million for seven years earlier this year.

agent Scott Boras and San Francisco third baseman Matt Chapman. AP Yonhap News

According to the size of Kim Ha-sung's contract predicted by major local media after opening in the FA market, ESPN's opt-out for two years and $42.1 million, The Athletic's opt-out for two years and $36 million, MLBTR for one year and FanGraphs for one year and $14 million. However, Kim Ha-sung, who was in good health, showed before his injury that he can display more than average offense and mobility with the top infield defense in the Major League. In the end, it can be said that clubs are tapping the calculator over how fast he will get back on track after returning early next season after undergoing shoulder surgery last month.

This is why local media are connecting San Francisco with Kim Ha-sung.

In particular, The Athletic insisted on Kim Ha-sung's joining in San Francisco as a 'definite fact' in an article titled 'San Francisco Giants FA Profile: Kim Ha-sung, Shortstop' on the 26th.

Reporter Grant Briceby, who wrote the article, cited Matt Chapman's trip to San Francisco as the surest FA contract last year. It took time, but he ended up in San Francisco ' This time it's Kim Ha-sung. There are more than 12 reasons why Kim Ha-sung fits the Giants. He doesn't even have to sign a long-term contract. As long as Kim Ha-sung is not in love with the Padres, going to San Francisco is not just a matter of time, but when,' he said.

Chapman, an agent Scott Boras customer like Kim Ha-sung, went to the FA market after the end of last season, but it wasn't until early March this year that he signed an opt-out contract with San Francisco for three years and $54 million a year later. This is because his performance at the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023 was not good. Chapman was so worried about his choice, but he hit the jackpot by signing a six-year, $151 million extension in September, near the end of this year's season.

Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo watching Game 5 of the Korean Series between LG and KT at Jamsil Stadium last year. Sports Chosun DB

Among the various reasons why reporter Briceby predicted Kim Ha-sung's trip to San Francisco, attention is paid to becoming a colleague with Lee Jung-hoo again. He said 'You two are best friends. That can't be an important reason for San Francisco to sign Kim Ha-sung, but it would be interesting and fun if the two players were caught at the same angle in the dugout.

Kim Ha-sung shared a four-year partnership with Lee Jung-hoo when he was with Kiwoom Heroes. It was Kim Ha-sung who contacted Lee Jung-hoo immediately after signing a six-year, $113 million contract with San Francisco in December last year. During the first face-off of the season between the two teams at Petco Park from March 29 to April 1, local broadcast cameras drew attention by taking a close-up of the two players meeting in the game.

Reporter Briceby said 'Kim Ha-sung is a reasonable FA who can gamble. He said, "I can go along with the Giants roster and clubhouse, and if I'm healthy, I can show off my skills like Chapman."

MLB.com also drew attention by evaluating Kim Ha-sung as a suitable FA for San Francisco in a corner titled 「FA that best suits each club」 on the 25th. The media outlet said the recent recruitment of shortstop was essential, and the existing Fitzgerald was more suited to the utility role"'Kim Ha-sung shared a team-up with manager Bob Melvin at the San Diego Padres from 2022-2023, and outfielder Lee Jung-hoo built a friendship as a colleague in Korea.'"

jhno@sportschosun.com