There are more than a dozen reasons for "Kim Ha-sung's Train to SF." "A year later, he will hit the same jackpot as Chapman." U.S. media
Nov 26, 2024
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The Athletic highlighted why Kim Ha-sung had no choice but to sign with San Francisco in an article titled 「San Francisco Giants FA Profile: Kim Ha-sung, Shortstop」 on the 26th (Korea time).
Reporter Brandt Briceby, who wrote the article, cited Matt Chapman's trip to San Francisco as the most obvious 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 claimed that going to San Francisco is a matter of when, not if, unless he is against the Padres.
Chapman went to the FA market after the end of last year's season, but it wasn't until early March this year that he signed a three-year, $54 million contract with San Francisco on opt-out terms a year later. This is because he did not play well in injury at the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023. However, Chapman hit .247 with 27 home runs, 98 points, OPS 0.790 and fifth third baseman Gold Glove with a healthy body this year, and made a big hit by signing an extended contract with San Francisco for six years and $151 million in September.
Kim Ha-sung, who has the same Scott Boras as his agent, thought he could draw the same move as Chapman.
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In the end, if San Francisco's main task is to stabilize its infield defense and revive its mobility, it is difficult to find an infielder as good as Kim Ha-sung.
In addition, the fact that he becomes a colleague with Lee Jung-hoo again is an attraction that cannot be overlooked. Reporter Briceby 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.
The key is the terms of the contract, but he said there was no difficulty in this part. Reporter Briceby said, `Kim Ha-sung will accept a one-year contract this time with the hope that he can sign a Boras-style contract in the offseason after properly proving his value next year.' `Although there are concerns about shoulder injuries, the risk is not great for the Giants. Although it is exceptional that Boras customers sign contracts in that way, Kim Ha-sung will end up like Chapman. He concluded that 'rational FA' that he could gamble.
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Reporter Mark Pinesand, who wrote the article, said that'Buster Posey's recent recruitment of shortstop is essential, and the existing Fitzgerald is better suited to utility roles"'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.'"
New president Buster Posey, a legendary San Francisco catcher, said on the 7th, `It would be great if we could bring in 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.
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jhno@sportschosun.com
