Kim Ha-sung (29), who finished the season due to a shoulder injury amid the San Diego Padres’ autumn baseball season, is already in the FA market. As he joins hands with “super agent” Scott Boras, interest in Kim Ha-sung’s move as a FA grows. Attention is focusing on whether Boras Magic can also work for Kim Ha-sung.
The U.S. “Sports Illustrated” reported on the 7th (Korea Standard Time) that Kim Ha-sung’s recent move could signal a breakup with San Diego and joined hands with Boras. “San Diego Union-Tribune” reporter Kevin A.C. announced on the 4th that Kim Ha-sung hired Boras as his new agent.
SI predicted, “Kim Ha-sung has a mutual option with San Diego until 2025, but he is likely to be in the FA market. He is scheduled to have shoulder surgery soon, but is expected to become a popular FA this winter.” Kim Ha-sung signed a contract with San Diego in January 2021 for $28 million in 4+1 year guarantees and up to $39 million. The $8 million annual salary contract next year will be triggered only when both players and clubs agree, and if either side refuses, he will receive a $2 million bar around and become an FA.
Kim Ha-sung, who had been playing as the main shortstop this season and increasing the value of the FA, injured his right shoulder during the baserunning play against the Colorado Rockies on August 19. He was on the injured list for the first time since his Major League debut due to shoulder inflammation, and he had difficulty increasing the intensity of his throws in the process of returning. Eventually, he was out for the season when he decided to undergo a torn joint and a net suture surgery on his shoulder.
As a shortstop, it cannot be taken lightly because it is a shoulder injury that can be fatal. As a result, there is a possibility that Kim Ha-sung will play for San Diego again next year, but he changed his agent to Boras, a big shot. In fact, he is expected to participate in the FA market. 먹튀검증
SI said, “Kim Ha-sung is in an advantageous position to receive significant offers from other clubs this winter. He is an elite defender with average offensive capability. Since becoming the starting member in 2022, he has hit .250/.336/.385 on the base. He has shown his best skills this year with a strikeout rate of 16.4 percent and a walk rate of 12.3 percent, and he has attempted 74 steals over the past two years and succeeded 60 times,” adding, “His offense figures are solid, but his defense is superior to anything else. Kim Ha-sung’s defense is highly likely to be a selling point. Versatile, Kim said, “The second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop can all display elite defense capabilities.”
However, he has to take the risk of shoulder surgery. “The only obstacle to signing a multi-year contract is the shoulder surgery scheduled for this offseason. If surgery acts as an obstacle, it could end up as a short-term contract that increased the annual average like other players at Boras,” SI said. “Kim Ha-sung joined the ranks of elite FAs represented by Boras Corporation, including Blake Snell (San Francisco Giants), Pete Alonso (New York Mets), and Corbin Burns (Baltimore Orioles). It seems like he already played his last game in San Diego.”
San Diego, which overran major players and large-scale long-term contracts between 2021 and 2023, is full of payrolls. It has been in tightening finances since last winter and cannot afford to catch Kim Ha-sung. As the possibility of staying is low, the transfer is likely, and attention is being paid to agent Boras’ skills.
Boras has always been a big deal for Korean players. His contract with the Texas Rangers of 65 million U.S. dollars for five years in December 2000, Ryu Hyun-jin of the Los Angeles Dodgers of 36 million dollars for six years in December 2012, Choo Shin-soo of the outfielder in December 2013 of 130 million dollars for seven years, and Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants of South Korea of 113 million dollars for six years in December last year are all of Boras’ works.
Negotiations did not work until last winter. Excluding Lee, major clients only made short-term contracts including opt-out, but they did not completely fail. Matt Chapman, a third baseman who signed a three-year, 54 million-dollar contract with San Francisco, hit the jackpot by signing a six-year, 151 million-dollar contract extension last month. Snell, who signed a two-year, 62 million-dollar contract, rebounded in the second half of the year and aims to become an FA hit again this winter through opt-out.
