San Diego Padres’ Kim Ha-sung (28) has been mentioned by local media as a player that the Cleveland Guardians, who need to reinforce their shortstop, can aim for.
The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, looked at the possibility of Cleveland’s trade this summer on the 13th (Korea time) and threw “strengthening the striker.”
Cleveland is the leader in the American League Central. 사설 토토사이트
However, weaknesses stand out in the shortstop position.
Brian Locchio and Gabriel Arias did not show aggression, The Athletic said. “Players who play in Triple-A in the Minor League are not immediately in a Keystone combination with second baseman Andres Jimenez.”
Rockio is struggling with a batting average of 0.213 and Arias 0.214 this season.
The Athletic raised the possibility of recruiting Kim Ha-sung and Bobissette (Toronto Blue Jays), saying, “If we can’t find an alternative inside, we can use a short-term solution.”
The media added, “Toronto can be a seller before the trade deadline (July 30th local time) this season,” adding, “It is not likely at the moment, but if San Diego is pushed out of the postseason competition, Kim Ha-sung could be an interesting alternative to Cleveland.”
San Diego, which belongs to the National League West, has a pretty wide gap with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the “world leader,” but is second in the National League wild card competition.
San Diego is unlikely to be pushed out of the postseason competition in July, as it can advance to the third place in the wild card.
However, it is increasingly likely that Kim Ha-sung and San Diego will say goodbye after this season.
U.S. local media said there is a club that inquired about the “Kim Ha-sung trade” in San Diego even during this season.
Kim Ha-sung signed with San Diego in 2021 for a 4+1 year guarantee of $28 million and up to $39 million.
The guaranteed amount includes a buyout of $2 million.
If the contract is extended by one year, Kim Ha-sung will receive an annual salary of $8 million in 2025.
If Kim Ha-sung refuses to extend his contract, he will qualify as a free agent and receive a $2 million “transfer fee” from San Diego.
The scenario frequently suggested by the U.S. media is that “San Diego proposes to extend the contract, but Kim Ha-sung refuses it and comes to the FA market.”
The Athletic expects Kim Ha-sung’s FA contract to be “average of $20 million per year, more than $100 million in total.”
