SS Kim Ha-sung and 2B Edman National University Keystone will lead the Dodgers infield! Will the national team regain popularity
Dec 23, 2024
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Shortstop Kim Ha-sung and second baseman Tommy Hyun-soo Edman will build the LA Dodgers' center infield. In the past, the Dodgers reigned as the national popular team when Ryu Hyun-jin was playing and were called the national team. If Kim Ha-sung wears a blue uniform, it is expected that 'nationals' will be revived again.
The U.S. sports media 'The Athletic' reported on the 22nd (Korea time) that the Dodgers included Kim Ha-sung on the recruitment list to reinforce right-handed hitters.
The reason why the Dodgers came to keep an eye on Kim Ha-sung is somewhat complicated.
The Dodgers already have outstanding shortstop Mookie Betts. But Betts can also play second base and outfield. He was more of an outfielder in the Dodgers.
The Dodgers decided to use Betts as a shortstop.
However, it was difficult to renew the contract with outfielder Teoscar Hernandez. The Athletic wants a three-year contract worth between $66 million and $72 million. Period is not a matter of dispute. The problem is money. The Dodgers are simply calculating the cost-effectiveness. The Dodgers are simulating how to spend the reserve funds if Hernandez leaves, he said.
Several variables occur when Hernandez leaves. Betts should stay in the outfield.
If that happens, we need to recruit shortstop. That's why Kim Ha-sung emerged as an alternative.
The Dodgers' main second baseman is Gavin Lux, not Edman. Edman can see the outfield and second baseman. If Kim Ha-sung comes, he is likely to appoint Edman, who has more diverse uses.
The Athletic aims to return early in the season. The Dodgers can use Betts at shortstop and Tommy Edman or Gavin Lux at second base until Kim Ha-sung is ready. Lux could be used as a trade card, he predicted.
If you sell Lux in a trade and leave Betts in the outfield and sign Kim Ha-sung, a Kim Ha-sung-Edman Keystone combination will be made. Edman played for the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) South Korean national team and worked with Kim Ha-sung.
The Athletic said 'Kim Ha-sung won a Gold Glove for utility man at the San Diego Padres in 2023. As long as Kim Ha-sung is healthy, the Dodgers will want him as a shortstop. In fact, he diagnosed that a cleaner way to replace Hernandez is to recruit an outfielder.
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Kim Ha-sung was out for the season in August this year. On August 19, he injured his shoulder against the Colorado Rockies. First baseman Kim Ha-sung was injured while sliding back when checking the opposing pitcher.
Initially, it was not considered a major injury, but he eventually got on the operating table. The shoulder is a very important part of a baseball player. In particular, for shortstop Kim Ha-sung, the health of his shoulder is directly related to the ransom. Kim Ha-sung did not return to the postseason either.
Kim Ha-sung's agent Scott Boras claimed that Kim Ha-sung could return in April.
The Athletic ranked Kim Ha-sung 12th in the remaining FA market. He is third among the infielders and second without the first baseman. The Athletic set Kim Ha-sung's appropriate ransom at $36 million (about 50 billion won) for two years. MTR diagnosed it more passively at $12 million (about 17.2 billion won) per year.
dhhan@sportschosun.com
