Shocking mega trade, the key is Choi Won-joon and Kim Si-hoon. Why on earth?

Jul 28, 2025

A game between Hanwha and KIA at Hanwha Life Ball Park in Daejeon on the 10th. KIA Choi Won-joon, who missed leadoff hitter Shim Woo-joon's fly ball in the eighth inning. Daejeon = Song Jeong-heon Reporter's songs@sportschosun.com/2025.07.10/

The mega trade was finally completed. The three-to-three trade was completed, including key players that the two teams have cherished. What is the reason.

KIA Tigers and NC Dinos announced a 3-3 trade on the afternoon of the 28th. It is a large trade in which KIA gives up outfielder Choi Won-joon, Lee Woo-sung, and infielder Hong Jong-pyo to NC, and NC sends pitcher Kim Si-hoon, Han Jae-seung, and infielder Chung Hyeon-chang to KIA.

Regarding the trade, NC said "It was a strategic decision to strengthen the team's power now and in the future, especially focusing on strengthening the center field position and strengthening the long-range power of the team's batters." Lim Sun-nam, NC's general manager, said "It could be an opportunity to simultaneously solve the reinforcement of center field and the strengthening of long hit power that the team has been agonizing over." expressed anticipation.

KIA general manager Shim Jae-hak also "Immediately secured a right-hander bullpen and future infielder resources." he said.

A total of six players are big trades that have moved teams, but in the end, they have not been able to keep their position firmly in the team this season. In particular, the cards that can determine the success or failure of the trade are outfielder Choi Won-joon and pitcher Kim Si-hoon.

Kim Si-hoon.Sports Chosun DB

Both joined with tremendous expectations, and they have something in common as players who have steadily grown as franchise stars of the team. Choi Won-joon, born in 1997, received Kia's second first-round pick in the 2016 rookie draft after graduating from Seoul High School. He was evaluated as a super infielder in the third place overall. At the time of joining, he was a shortstop, but later switched to the outfield.

The same goes for Kim Si-hoon, who was born in 1999. Born in Masan Dongjung-Masan High School, Masan Seonggol has a great symbolism as the first place name for the region in 2018. He is a rare player from the original Masan in the team and has mainly played in the bullpen.

But both suffered ups and downs. In the case of Choi Won-joon, he raised his value with a batting average of 292 last year with 128 hits, nine home runs and 56 RBIs, and the team's integrated victory raised expectations for the first FA. However, this season, his position has narrowed even within the team due to a batting average of 229 and a low on-base percentage (0.282).

KIA Choi Won-joon hits a game between Hanwha and KIA at KIA Champions Field in Gwangju on the 6th. Gwangju = Reporter's wook@sportschosun.com/2025.06.06/

Kim Si-hoon's position is no different. He also started for three consecutive years in the 2022-2024 season and played as a key role in the bullpen. In the 2022-2023 season, he recorded double-digit holds for the second consecutive year. Last year, he confirmed the possibility of starting in the first half, but turned back to the bullpen in the second half. But this year, he couldn't get a seat in the team. NC also did not include Kim Si-hoon in the entry since June, with the bullpen full of seats such as Ryu Jin-wook, Pil Seung-jo Kim Young-kyu, Jeon Sa-min, Kim Jin-ho and Lim Jung-ho.

In the end, these two will determine the success or failure of the trade between the two teams. NC has enough outfield numbers, but has a great desire for offensive center field. Park Gun-woo is burdened with physical strength to see center field, and Chun Jae-hwan, Han Seok-hyun, and Choi Jung-won adhere to the defense, but there are ups and downs in offense. Choi Won-joon is the right player to take on this role. Choi Won-joon has stable defense capability in the outfield. In addition, he has a swing that can produce mid- to long-range hits in attack, so he is counting on this part.

The Hanwha-NC match held at Changwon NC Park on the 30th. In the top of the ninth inning, Han Jae-seung is pitching. Changwon = Reporter Jung Jae-geun cjg@sportschosun.com /2025.5.30/

KIA, whose bullpen has weakened so much during the six-game losing streak, reads its strategy to change the atmosphere even a little by recruiting Kim Si-hoon and Han Jae-seung. Recently, even Cho Sang-woo and Jung Hae-young of Pilseung Group have struggled, and the entire team is shaking. If Kim Si-hoon, who had not been able to take the mound in NC, is again appointed as a key role in KIA and finds the ball power, it could be the most ideal scenario.

Choi Won-joon and Kim Si-hoon are the key. Trade also has a significant impact on players. How will the current shock affect the players. In particular, will Choi Won-joon, who is about to make his debut as a FA, be able to rebound in the second half by changing his uniform. I'm curious about the result.

This article was translated by Naver AI translator.