“It is possible that Kim Ha-sung will not return before the end of the season.”
Reports have begun to emerge that Kim Ha-sung (29, San Diego Padres) may be out of the season. Friars on Bears reported as above on the 18th (Korea time), saying, “Kim Ha-sung is trying to return, but San Diego is not sure about returning.”
After getting on base with a hit against the Colorado Rockies on Aug. 19, Kim Ha-sung injured his right shoulder while returning to first base on the opponent’s check ball. It has already been a month since he was absent. Considering the reports of the U.S. media, Kim Ha-sung’s shoulder hurts when he throws the ball. Then, it is right that he cannot go to the game and take a rest. 안전놀이터
The problem is that Kim Ha-sung can go to the FA market after this season. The $7 million mutual option for the 2025 season literally applies with mutual consent. San Diego will definitely be OK, but it has become a fait accompli that Kim Ha-sung will say “NO.”
However, if Kim Ha-sung’s value is feared to fall due to this injury, some analysts say that Kim Ha-sung will accept the $7 million option next year and aim for a big hit in the 2025-2026 FA market. If Kim Ha-sung ends the regular season and goes to the FA market with the observation deck of the Friars on Base, there is a possibility that the clubs will use Kim Ha-sung’s health as a risk. There is room for a slight drop in ransom.
Attention is also focusing on whether there is a chance Kim Ha-sung will return to the postseason and when. The San Diego Padres will end the regular season on Thursday against the Arizona Diamondbacks. There are 10 games left. They will have a postseason after that. If he can return dramatically from the postseason, if he shows off his robustness, he may prevent his value from falling in the FA market.
There is also a reality that it is difficult to play rehabilitation games in the minor leagues. The regular season of Double-A has already ended. Triple-A will also end this weekend. “The best lineup of the Padres is for Kim Ha-sung to play shortstop,” Friars on Base said. “The last game of El Paso Chihuahua will be on Sunday (23rd). This means that if Kim Ha-sung makes significant progress to return to the active roster, there will be no way for him to play a minor league rehabilitation game.”
In addition, the Friars on Base said, “Seeing from the plate is very important for the big leaguer who has been away for a long time. Kim Ha-sung’s status in the postseason is also beginning to be compromised. San Diego needs to show better performances with Kim Ha-sung, and we expect him to return before the end of the 2024 season.”
In one way or another, Kim Ha-sung’s $100 million FA front seems to be in jeopardy. It is widely believed that it is unconditionally advantageous to exercise the FA qualification even if it is a year earlier. For Kim Ha-sung, he has to establish a strategy in the upcoming FA market along with efforts to return.
