Average offense + elite defense Kim Ha-sung is consistent in popularity! → Connecting with Atlanta, King of the East, 5 Years, $60 Million

Jan 06, 2025

Sportschosun DB

Major League FA infielder Kim Ha-sung has been connected to the Atlanta Braves. Kim Ha-sung's stove league seems to be entering a long-term game, but it is constantly connected with several teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Yankees, and the Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta.

The U.S. sports media outlet 「Sports Illustrated」 reported on the 5th (Korea time)" that Atlanta will sign a contract to upgrade its shortstop position through this offseason.'

Atlanta shortstop Orlando Arcia hit .218 with an on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) of 0.625.

According to SI, CBS Sports reporter R.J. Anderson predicted that Atlanta would recruit Kim Ha-sung.

Anderson added "The evaluation of Kim Ha-sung was complicated by the shoulder surgery he underwent at the end of the 2024 season. Most of the first half, maybe the whole first half. There are not many teams that will invest in players who are not guaranteed full-time."

At the same time, Anderson diagnosed that "Atlanta's recruitment of Kim Ha-sung to upgrade Arcia is reasonable in several aspects.'

SI is 'Kim Ha-sung won the 2023 Utility Gold Glove. He had 17 homers and 60 RBIs in 152 games in 2023. It was a career high. However, in 2024, he failed to repeat this and underwent shoulder surgery.

The expected contract size is also mixed because the timing of Kim Ha-sung's return is not clear.

Sportschosun DB

Major League Trade Rumors (MTR) rather recommended Kim Ha-sung to re-run the FA. After signing a one-year short-term contract, it is better to seek a big hit again. Or, I recommended the 1+@ year form, which puts opt-out a year later. In the current situation, Kim Ha-sung was somewhat sluggish in 2024 and is expected to be at a disadvantage due to overlapping injuries.

Nevertheless, Kim Ha-sung is still in high demand because he has already proved his defensive skills and average hitting ability in the Major League. Right now, Atlanta's Arcia is also good at defense, but the bat is poor.

Sporting News predicted the contract between Kim Ha-sung and Atlanta at a whopping five years and $60 million.

According to Sporting News, Major League Baseball expert Ryan Finkelstein "Atlanta is a team that needs shortstop. Arcia is as good at defense as Kim Ha-sung, but she is by no means the same level of batter. Realistically, any team wants a player as versatile as Kim Ha-sung."

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.