Trade shock? Why did Son Ah-seop thank Hanwha…With director Kim Kyung-moon
Aug 01, 2025
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Son Ah-seop expressed his feelings for a fresh start in the No. 1 team Hanwha Eagles ahead of the Gwangju KIA Tigers match on the 1st. Son Ah-seop joined the Hanwha team for the first time and greeted them.
Son Ah-seop was traded from the NC Dinos to Hanwha on the 31st of last month. A trade that was announced urgently at the trade deadline. Hanwha gave NC the third round of the 2026 rookie draft and 300 million won in cash while receiving Son Ah-seop.
Hanwha once again showed its strong will to win the integrated championship by catching two rabbits: outfielders who had been pursuing trade acquisition throughout the season and reinforcing the lineup.
Hanwha has strengthened its fielder's depth by recruiting veterans with excellent batting skills and big game experience. Son Ah-seop, who holds the record for the most hits in professional baseball and has a postseason OPS of 1.008 in the last 10 years, made the trade because he thought it would be helpful for him to enter the fall baseball league."
Son Ah-seop is the best teaching hitter in the league, boasting a career batting average of 0.320 (2,583 hits in 8073 at-bats). In 2023, he hit a batting average of 0.339 for the season and became the first batting champion of his career. He has recently been out due to a side injury, but the injury is not severe, so it is expected to be a great addition to the team soon.
Next is Son Ah-seop and Moon Jae-in.
-When did you get a trade call.
▶I was watching baseball in the evening yesterday(the 31st of last month) lying down at home. The operation team leader told me over the phone. I got a phone call while watching baseball. It was a bit dazed. It didn't feel real because it was my first trade. When I calm down and think about it calmly, I think I had a lot of thoughts that it could be another good opportunity for me.
-To be specific about another opportunity.
▶I felt a lot that my seat was narrowing. As a result, I think I've come to think that the opportunity to play is another opportunity. I got a lot of opportunities, but when I felt like I was getting less room to play. When I heard the trade news, it was another good opportunity for me, and I truly heard that it was a team with Kim Kyung-moon that I really wanted to do with before retiring at least once. So I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn baseball again.
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▶Personally, I really wanted to do it together while playing baseball. I wanted to learn baseball under the coach, but I knew I could be with him, so I called him as soon as the game was over. The director also said let's work hard. I told you that I really want to do my best and pour all my energy into it.
-There seems to be an expectation that Hanwha is the No. 1 team.
▶It's a great team. The first place itself is the strongest team in the KBO, and it is truly an honor to be able to join such a team. As a senior, I hope I can help you a little bit without causing inconvenience. Baseball as well, as an old player, I want to be an example to my juniors and help them by adapting well to the good atmosphere now.
-The player who contacted me first after the trade is.
▶It came too much. There are about 30 people to say their names one by one. All the players, including Ryu Hyun-jin, who was close to Hanwha, contacted me happily. I was very grateful that all the players, regardless of the first or second division, contacted me in NC. I'm sorry I still haven't finished answering. If I have time, I think I should contact each of them.
-- What kind of conversation did you have with Ryu Hyun-jin.
▶Welcome, I said let's do well.
-It is a situation where you can experience the Korean Series personally.
▶We still have a lot of games left. I couldn't play a game because I joined Hanwha. I don't know yet, but I have a strong desire to help. Director Kim Kyung-moon gave me a chance, and I want to repay a little bit in that regard.
-I trained, but my body condition is.
▶The learning and defense are all 100 percent. The biggest problem is hitting. Started today for the first time, finished with nothing wrong in today's robbery. I want to raise the intensity little by little and show you my grit in front of fans wearing Hanwha uniforms as soon as possible. I only did tee batting today. It ended well in the tee batting without pain. I will raise it step by step and step on it according to the schedule given by the training part.
-How much stronger Hanwha can become by joining the team.
▶I don't think baseball will be strong with one player. It absorbs the atmosphere of the original team without causing inconvenience in a good atmosphere, so it is not causing inconvenience. I'm satisfied if I can win just one game because of me.
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▶That's certainly a boon. It's a pity that the number of games is not far away (laughs). I think the probability of going to the batter's box has increased a little more comfortably not meeting Hanwha pitchers.
-He said he advised Han Jae-seung to trade. How do you feel about it.
▶Honestly, it's amazing. I thought it was someone else's story. After always greeting juniors who go to trade and juniors who come to Korea, and going through such a sad breakup, I became the person in charge, so I was out of my mind and didn't feel real. While playing baseball, I feel grateful that there is a team that needs me anyway. It was interesting.
-The luggage in Changwon must not have been organized.
▶I packed only my urgent stuff. My mother decided to organize the rest.
-I chose number 34 instead of number 31.
▶I talked well with Jung Yi-hwang (current number 31 in Hanwha). I think I'll probably put number 31 on it, but I'll check it again. I've talked about something, and I'll announce it after I get it.
-I've been in NC for 4 years, so to say something to NC fans.
▶First of all, I've had a lot of good memories and personal records for four years. I'm truly grateful because it's a team that held hands when I was having a hard time. I will cheer for you from afar as the team has a bright future. Fans cheered me so much that I didn't feel like I was from another team. Apart from the team, I hope you support a baseball player named Son Ah-seop. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
