More and more reports to LAD...US Media "Kim Ha-sung Can Replace Hernandez, Can Upgrade Defense"
More and more reports to LAD...US Media "Kim Ha-sung Can Replace Hernandez, Can Upgrade Defense"
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The U.S. "Spotting News" cited the report of "The Athletic" Ken Rosenthal on the 22nd (Korea time) and added strength to Kim Ha-sung's trip to the LA Dodgers. The Dodgers, which are struggling in the negotiation process with Teoscar Hernandez, argued that they can reinforce their power at a low cost.메이저놀이터
Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on the 22nd that the Dodgers are facing difficulties in negotiations with Hernandez. Hernandez, who joined the Dodgers prior to this season, played 154 games and recorded 160 hits, 33 home runs, 99 RBIs, 84 runs and 12 steals with a batting average of 0.272 OPS of 0.840 to help the Dodgers win the World Series (WS) and acquired the FA status.
Hernandez hoped that the Dodgers would stay in the World Series championship parade, and as the Dodgers responded, it is expected that they will be able to accompany him in the 2025 season. However, no news has been made yet on the contract between the Dodgers and Hernandez. The two sides have different opinions on the size of the deal. Hernandez has rejected a qualifying offer of 21.05 million U.S. dollars and is seeking a higher ransom.
Amid this, Rosenthal sparked the possibility of Kim Ha-sung joining the Dodgers, which has recently emerged. Kim Ha-sung, who got on the operating table after suffering a shoulder injury at the end of this season, had a connection with the San Francisco Giants at the beginning of the stove league, but he joined hands with Willy Adames, and Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo failed to make it. Recently, however, the possibility of Kim Ha-sung going to the Dodgers has been steadily mentioned.
Rosenthal said, "The Dodgers, which have stalled negotiations with Hernandez, are looking for several ways. According to sources, potential options include FA infielder Kim Ha-sung, Chicago Cubs right-handed hitter Seiya Suzuki, and Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. However, it is not yet known how serious the Dodgers are or how realistic some of them are."
Rosenthal then said, "The 29-year-old Kim Ha-sung will probably be the most interesting addition. As the Dodgers plan to return Mookie Betts to shortstop, demand for outfielders is greater than for infielders. However, after recovering from surgery on his right shoulder, Kim Ha-sung is a defender with talent to fill the center infield," adding, "The Dodgers can use Betts as shortstop, Tommy Edman and Gavin Lux as second basemen, or trade Lux until Kim Ha-sung is ready."
Rosenthal went on to say, "Kim Ha-sung won the Gold Glove for utility in San Diego in 2023. When he gets healthy, the Dodgers will want Kim Ha-sung as a shortstop. If Betts stays in the infield, Edman will take over the center field." We don't know how feasible it will be, but he explained that if the Dodgers recruit Kim Ha-sung, it will be possible to clean up the traffic.
Sporting News also joined the team. The media said, "The Dodgers announced its plan to return Betts to shortstop. It also signed an extension contract with Tommy Edman, a utility man who is expected to play mostly as an outfielder. However, if Kim Ha-sung is recruited, the Dodgers will have a better option than Betts at shortstop. Offensively, you can't compare Kim Ha-sung to Betts, but defensively, Kim Ha-sung won the Gold Glove at utility and made 13 more outs than average at shortstop."
"Spotting News" explained that if Kim Ha-sung joins the Dodgers, he can be of sufficient help. "Kim Ha-sung has no choice but to force the Dodgers to move Betts to second base. If shortstop Kim Ha-sung is recruited, Dodger could have Edman, who won the Gold Glove in 2021, playing second base and moving Betts back to the outfield," he said. "In any case, Kim Ha-sung's bat can help upgrade the Dodgers defense while definitely replacing Hernandez."
Finally, "Spotting News" said, "The statistics site Spotrac expects Kim Ha-sung to sign a $49 million (about 71 billion won) FA contract," adding, "Kim Ha-sung will be a cheaper right-handed hitter option than Hernandez."