Kim Ha-sung is ranked 8th to 43rd in the FA rankings. What's real? Ransom varies from $12 million to $100 million, and Boras is very much interested

Nov 11, 2024

FA Kim Ha-sung's return to San Diego has virtually disappeared, with the evaluation that he has a market value of $100 million. AP Yonhap News

Kim Heo-sung warms up with his teammates ahead of Game 2 of the Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers on the 7th (Korea time). ImagesYonhap News

San Diego Padres general manager AJ Preller announced a two-year extension contract with coach Mike Shildt on the 7th (Korea time) and said, `Now our offseason has begun.'

San Diego can be said to have delivered a clear message about the stability of the team and the direction of the team by guaranteeing coach Silt's status with one year left on his existing contract until 2027. It means that it will not shake the current team's composition significantly, but some observers say that it may have actually broken up with Kim Ha-sung, who did not present a qualifying offer (QO).

On the other hand, outfielder Jurickson Profar, who was not offered a QO like Kim Ha-sung, is said to have a high possibility of renewing his contract. In this regard, MLB.com said, `No other Padres-born FA is more likely to stay than Jurickson Profar.' `He had a career high in San Diego this year, while he had a slump in other teams. 'The Padres are clearly hoping to bring him back, and they need to meet the conditions regarding the money,' he said.

"Propa and Kim Ha-sung are a big part of our offseason tasks," Prelor said. I don't think it's what we want to do to sign a one-year contract with them. However, the window for the two players is not closed, but "I have already started negotiations with the professional team to renew the contract. But he's a player who deserves FA rights, so we'll watch the trend" ?All.

AJ Prelor, head of the San Diego Padres. AFP Yonhap News

On the other hand, for Kim Ha-sung, he answered briefly, "'Same thing with Ha-Seong.'" MLB.com says 'Profa is more suited to the Padres than Kim Ha-sung. The Padres said it was because they needed left field, and that 'What I say about Kim Ha-sung. In other words, it is a nuance of expressing the position of 'lip service' regarding the renewal of contract with Kim Ha-sung.

San Diego was preparing to say goodbye to Kim Ha-sung early on. When the season ended early due to a shoulder injury, Xander Bogaerts was urgently returned to shortstop, leaving his second base back to Jake Cronenwons. General manager Prelor makes it clear this offseason that Bogaerts will also start as shortstop next season. However, it is possible to recruit external resources as a backup agent for Bogaerts, and it seems that it has not completely ruled out renewing the contract with Kim Ha-sung.

Kim Ha-sung is also hoping to stay in San Diego, but he firmly believes that a team will come up with better conditions as he has chosen his first FA qualification. Agent Scott Boras has also expressed confidence in Kim Ha-sung's market demand.

Boras interviewed local media in San Antonio, where the Major League Baseball general manager meeting was held on the 8th. "Kim Ha-sung is receiving a wide range of attention from many clubs. All teams are well aware of his return to action. It will be very early in the season, if not the opening game of the season. "It is a fact that all club officials know. They've seen those reports, so they're feeling Kim Ha-sung's medical very stable."

Local media expect five to six clubs, including the San Francisco Giants, Milwaukee Brewers, Toronto Blue Jays, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, and original team San Diego, to be Kim Ha-sung's destination. With this atmosphere, it is desirable to expect not only a '1+1 year' contract including opt-out, but also a multi-year contract of more than four years.

Kim Ha-sung's FA ranking varies from the highest 8th to the lowest 43rd. AP Yonhap News

The fact that Kim Ha-sung's FA ranking is jagged is also the reason why various scenarios are raised in the contract. Kim Ha-sung ranked eighth overall in the FA rankings recently announced by FanGraphs, and the contract size was expected to be five years and $100 million. This is the highest ranking ever. FanGraphs said 'Kim Ha-sung, who underwent a fine ruptured shoulder and suture surgery, may not be ready until next spring. If so, it is realistic to give a two-year contract the right to opt-out a year later, but 'Kim Ha-sung built a stable track record, and his young age is a good reason to give him a longer contract. Although an annual average of $20 million is by no means a low price, he is a reasonable salary in that he has premium defense and a hard hit.

According to Kim Ha-sung's ranking in the FA rankings released by other media, NBC Sports ranked 9th, MLB.com 17th, The Athletic and USA Today ranked 18th, Yahoo Sports ranked 19th, FOX Sports ranked 20th, ESPN ranked 25th, and MLBTR ranked 43rd. MLBTR also predicted Kim Ha-sung's market value at $12 million per year, the lowest.

agent Scott Boras said that Kim Ha-sung's market demand is widespread in the FA market. AP Yonhap News

jhno@sportschosun.com