Was Agent Ohtani predicting everything? Dodgers shock' main second baseman trade, Kim Hye-sung laughs

Jan 07, 2025

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Did Agent Ohtani expect everything.

Is this the power of a big agent with a leading superstar.

Kim Hye-sung's move to conquer the U.S. Major League seems to be unraveling from the beginning.

Kim Hye-sung, who played eight seasons for the Kiwoom Heroes and qualified for posting, was recognized as the strongest second baseman in the league and curiously declared his bid for the Major League. Even when he joined hands with CAA Sports, the agent of LA Dodgers superstar Ohtani, the energy of 'Awesome' came out. Some predicted that Kim Ha-sung would sign a better contract than the $4+1 year and $28 million he received when he went to the San Diego Padres.

However, the actual market reaction was cold. At the beginning of the posting, time passed without a contract with an estimated three-year, $24 million ransom. I couldn't decide on a team until just before the posting deadline.

But a twist happened. The Dodgers, who have never been mentioned as a destination candidate, have become Kim Hye-sung's new team. In terms of the guaranteed amount alone, it was a three-year, $12.5 million contract, which fell far short of expectations, and the choice of the Dodgers, which is expected to be in a rough competition for the starting lineup, was questionable.

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The Dodgers won the World Series last season. A superstar named Mookie Betts was in the shortstop position, and second baseman prospect Gavin Lux was holding out. As an infield utility, Miguel Rojas remains a compliant defender, and Chris Taylor and Tommy Edman are also resources to cover both inside and outside. Although he became FA, Enrique Hernandez in the same role was also able to reunite. There seemed to be no time to squeeze in. I didn't pay more, and I wondered why the Dodgers were.

However, the Dodgers' choice is expected to be a `God's move.' On the 7th (Korea time), the Dodgers made a surprise trade for Lux, the main second baseman. He was sent off to the Cincinnati Reds, who needed a second baseman after receiving a prospect and a designation right. The club made the breakup official on social media.

AFP Yonhap News

Rumors of Lux's trade began to emerge through local media after the announcement of Kim Hye-sung's recruitment. Of course, it was not that Lux, who had no seat with Kim Hye-sung, the main player, would leave. Teams in urgent need of second baseman reinforcement, such as the New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, want promising lux. However, it was undeniable that Kim Hye-sung's stake was in the background.

As Lux is traded, the power of Kim Hye-sung's agent, CAA, seems to be felt. With agent Nez Valero at the forefront, he knows the situation of U.S. clubs better than anyone else. In particular, the Dodgers and CAA are bound to have a close relationship. CAA linked big man Ohtani to the Dodgers last year. He is in a position to control the Dodgers with a ransom of $700 million. As such, the Dodgers have no choice but to look at Ohtani and CAA to some extent. Naturally, CAA can catch the atmosphere and information inside the Dodgers faster than anyone else.

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Whether CAA has read the atmosphere of reorganizing the team, including the Lux trade, or tried to create a place for Kim Hye-sung to play during the negotiations, going to the Dodgers could be a very good option for Kim Hye-sung. This is because it has become much easier to seek a big league entry position with a backup utility, even if it gives up the main second base position to another player. The main second baseman is no better.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.