Hit king Anta and FA infielder Big Three? Another reason why Kim Ha-sung should be revived this year, his goal to return to late April or early May

Feb 12, 2025

Kim Ha-sung, who signed a two-year, $29 million contract with Tampa Bay, can exercise his opt-out rights at the end of this season. Photo =Tampa Bay Race Official X Account

San Diego Padres Luis Arraez has been the batting champion for the last three years in a row. AP Yonhap News

If Kim Ha-sung, who has a new nest in Tampa Bay Race, enters the FA market at the end of this year, it is predicted that he could be noted as a top-class player.

ESPN published an article titled 'FA and Trade Update: Bregman, Arenado, Others' on the 12th (Korea Standard Time), and where will Alex Bregman go?In the section ', Kim Ha-sung was mentioned.

Bregman is actually the last remaining FA mogul. Bregman, who is expected to sign a long-term contract of at least $100 million, has yet to decide on a destination even at the time of the opening of spring training. However, some predict that it will be concluded at least this week. The Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers reportedly offered Bregman a long-term contract.

Kim Ha-sung marked a combined WAR of 15.3 for San Diego. AP Yonhap News

Reporter Jeff Bankruptcy, who wrote the article, wrote that signing Bregman, who is looking for a long-term contract of at least six years, is not limited to what he does in 2025. In the next two FA markets, few infielders have recorded bWAR 4.0 or higher in the past five years. 'This winter, shortstop Bobby?', second baseman Luis Arraez, infielder Kim Ha-sung, third baseman Eugenio Suarez, and second baseman Brandon Law, Nico Horner, Jonathan India, and shortstop JP Crawford will be FA next winter.'"

He also said, `None of these players can match what Bregman has done in the past three years.' In other words, Bregman is likely to sign a contract with the conditions he wants this winter.

Kim Ha-sung had a WAR of 4.9 in 2022 and 5.8 in 2023 for the San Diego Padres. The four-year total WAR is 15.3. Rain that debuted in 2019??Silver has two WARs above 4.0 (2021, 2023) and has a combined WAR of 14.1 for the last four years. Arraez exceeded WAR 4.0 for the second consecutive year in 2022 and 2023, marking 13.5 in the last four years. Kim Ha-sung is the highest total WAR among the three in the last four years. Bregman's four-year WAR is 15.7.

Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year, $29 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays. He will receive an annual salary of $13 million this year and $16 million next year. However, at the end of this season, you can terminate your contract and choose the FA. Bankruptcy reporters seem to rank FA infielders in the order of non-?, Araez, and Kim Ha-sung at the end of this year.

Toronto Blue Jays Bobbi??After completing this season, he will be eligible for FA. It can be in the spotlight as the biggest infielder. AP Yonhap News

Rain?? did not continue to grow with only 81 games last year due to injuries, but he ranked first in the AL hit category from 2021 to 2022, and in 2023, he marked a batting average of 0.306, 20 homers, 73 RBIs, 69 runs, and an OPS of 0.814 to establish himself as a major shortstop. He will turn 27 at the end of this year, so if he succeeds in reviving this time, he deserves to be called the best among infielders.

Arraez is the best contact heater in existence, winning the batting champion for three consecutive years until last year. At the end of this year, the age of the FA negotiations is 28 years old?? You can get no less of a limelight. This year's salary is $14 million. San Diego, whose financial conditions have worsened, is also expected to trade Araez ahead of this season or this summer.

In an interview with Tampa Bay on the 4th, Kim Ha-sung, who is stepping up his last rehabilitation after undergoing shoulder surgery, said about the timing of his return, `I think it will be the end of April or early May.' In that case, you can spend a season close to full-time, and you can pass the regulation at-bats (502). If he recovers his pitching skills from his San Diego days in 2023, he should be in the FA market at the end of this year.

Kim Ha-sung can be said to be a preliminary FA where clubs in need of second basemen, third basemen, and shortstop collectively send love calls, considering that the bankruptcy reporter referred to him as an infielder rather than a specific position.

As reporter Olney reported, Bregman seems to have been offered the conditions he wants, so it is unlikely that he will go back to the FA market at the end of this year. In other words, if Kim Ha-sung, once regarded as a utility worth at least $100 million, succeeds in making a comeback this season, he will form an infielder 'Big 3' with Rain?? and Araez at the end of this year.