Shoulder surgery → 1 year + opt-out → long-term contract. This kind of strategy? Kim Ha-sung also needs the devil's negotiation skills, like Chapman
Shoulder surgery → 1 year + opt-out → long-term contract. This kind of strategy? Kim Ha-sung also needs the devil's negotiation skills, like Chapman
Blog Article
It was an unexpected move. San Diego Padres' Kim Ha-sung signed a contract with super agent Scott Boras in a surprise move.안전놀이터
San Diego Union-Tribune reporter Kevin A.C. said on the 4th (Korean time) that "Kim Ha-sung's Interesting Move to the Big Offseason: Padres Shortstop hired Boras Corporation as an agency to represent him. Kim Ha-sung is expected to reject the mutual option in 2025. Although he is scheduled to have shoulder surgery, he is expected to be in the spotlight in the FA market (Even with shoulder surgery looming, he is expected to be in the free agency)."
Kim Ha-sung's existing agency is ISE Baseball. It is a major agency with clients such as Houston Astros Justin Verlander, Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Skins, Washington Nationals Patrick Corbin, Arizona Diamondbacks Paul Sewald and retired David Otis.
Kim Ha-sung's decision to leave the ISE Baseball and join hands with Boras is interpreted as his will to target the FA market after this season.
What's curious is that Kim Ha-sung will soon have shoulder surgery. Kim Ha-sung injured his right shoulder in the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 19 while sliding into the first base due to the opponent's check. Kim Ha-sung, who expected to return soon, eventually failed to recover his first base pitching power and was diagnosed with a ruptured wasp and decided to operate.
Kim Ha-sung said on the 29th of last month, "I didn't think deeply about the FA. I just care about recovering quickly and returning healthy next season." It was an unknown comment whether he was willing to replace the agent.
However, local media later expected Kim Ha-sung to weigh in on declaring the FA.
The AP said on the 30th of last month, "Kim Ha-sung's future with the Padres is uncertain because his four-year contract is ending. Although there is a mutual option in 2025, Kim Ha-sung will give up if he believes he can receive better conditions for the market."
San Diego fan media Price on Base also said, "Kim Ha-sung recently ended the season with surgery to reconstruct the rupture of his right shoulder spondylus. There is a possibility that his relationship with San Diego will end," and predicted, "There is a $7 million mutual option at stake next year, but even if he undergoes shoulder surgery, he is likely to seek a bigger contract in the open market."
If so, will Kim Ha-sung be able to achieve a seven-year, 130 million-$150 million FA contract that The Athletic expected as a condition for an extended contract with San Diego earlier this year.
In response, Major League Trade Rumors (MLBTR) predicted on the same day, "If Kim Ha-sung's FA declaration does not lead to the expected jackpot before the announcement of shoulder surgery, there is no need to be surprised even if he chooses a short-term contract with a high annual salary and options like Boras' other customers last winter."
Boras' other customers include San Francisco Giants Matt Chapman and Blake Snell and Chicago Cubs Cody Bellinger. The three qualified as FA last winter, but after more than four months of market search, they were able to sign a contract in March after spring camp began. All three signed short-term contracts with an option or opt-out for one year of contract.
Chapman became an FA after only 140 games and 0.754 OPS due to finger injuries in the second half of the season with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2023, and signed a contract for 2025-2027 as a player and mutual option for $20 million a year. Snell, who received a Cy Young Award in San Diego in the same year and was suspected of durability, signed a contract that allows him to exercise the opt-out after a year for $62 million for two years.
Bellinger, who failed to maximize his value due to a month-long absence due to a knee injury in the first half of last year, eventually re-signed with the Cubs for three years and $80 million and placed an opt-out clause at the end of this year and 2025.
Chapman, who had a successful season this year, signed a six-year, 151 million-dollar contract extension last month to win the jackpot. Chances are high that Snell, who has continued pitching like a Cy Young pitcher in the second half of this season, will also opt out and enjoy the FA market again. In contrast, Bellinger, who had only 18 homers, 78 RBIs and an OPS of 0.751 this season, is vague to opt out.
MLBTR believes that Kim Ha-sung is likely to seek an FA contract similar to them.
MLBTR said, "Kim Ha-sung has emerged as the top infielder in the FA market thanks to his average offense and excellent defense." Since becoming the main player in 2022, he has posted a slash line of 0.250/0.336/0.385 for three years, and wRC+ is 106 which is 6% better than the league's average," adding, "He showed an outstanding trail in at-bats this year with a 12.3% walk rate and a 16.4% strikeout rate, and has succeeded in 60 of 74 stolen base attempts over the past two years."