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| defensive Kim Ha-sung. AP Yonhap News |
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The Atlanta Braves are the main shortstop they've been looking for, will they be able to see it next season. Interest also explodes in the local media.
Korean big leaguer Kim Ha-sung has been playing for Atlanta since the 3rd (Korea time). Leaving the San Diego Padres after the end of the 2024 season to earn his first FA status, he signed a one-plus-one-year contract with the Tampa Bay Rays, but the companion did not last long. As Kim Ha-sung, who returned to the ground after rehabilitation, continued to suffer from minor injuries in various areas, Tampa Bay finally decided that the possibility of advancing to the playoffs became slim. He boldly gave up Kim Ha-sung, the most expensive player in the team.
When Tampa Bay made a waiver announcement, Atlanta made a claim and took it right away. The remainder of the contract signed by Tampa Bay and Kim Ha-sung was transferred to Atlanta. From Atlanta's point of view, it is a long-awaited recruitment. Even at the time when Kim Ha-sung qualified as a FA, Atlanta was very interested in it and there was a story that he actually offered it. However, it seems that Kim Ha-sung was not at a satisfactory level. That's why there was no team trying to guarantee a long-term contract to Kim Ha-sung, who was in rehabilitation after shoulder surgery at the time.
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| AFP Yonhap News |
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The relationship, which was once out of line, came back to meet again after half a year. Tampa Bay was thirsty for an offensive shortstop. Veteran and promising players in shortstop positions this season did not perform satisfactorily in offense and defense. In the meantime, an opportunity came as Tampa Bay gave up Kim Ha-sung. Since joining the team, Kim Ha-sung has 11 hits in 38 at-bats with a batting average of 289 and a batting average of 0.368 and an on-base percentage of 0.349.
In particular, Kim Ha-sung hit a decisive come-from-behind three-run home run against the Chicago White Sox on the 4th, which was the first homer for Atlanta's shortstop since Orlando Arcia on September 21 last year. In other words, none of Atlanta's shortstop hit a home run this year. No matter how important defense is, you can still see where the club's thirst started on the world's best stage.
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| EPAYonhap News |
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Atlanta seems to be satisfied with Kim Ha-sung's performance. Coach Brian Snitker, who expressed his intention to be 'welcome ', also told local media on the 15th that `Kim Ha-sung has been showing me one every day since he came to this team. Kim Ha-sung has been impressive in every game. He is a very impressive player, with good concentration and many advantages. Kim Ha-sung is good at many things. Solid player "He's great. Over the years, we've seen him do well against our team, and now he's with us."
Kim Ha-sung also seems to be more satisfied with various things, such as the team's atmosphere, adaptation, and frequency of participation than in Tampa Bay, which suffered from minor injuries. In a recent interview with local reporters, Kim Ha-sung said "I'm looking for a good sense as I continue to play. The movement feels better, too. be on the right track" he said.
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| Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn ImagesYonhap News |
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"'MLB.com ' signed a maximum two-year contract with Tampa Bay on the 15th, and Kim Ha-sung, who was released, can exercise a player option of $16 million (about 22.2 billion won) next year and return to Atlanta. General manager Alex Anthopoulos can also catch Kim Ha-sung and lower his average salary. Above all, current coach Snitker plans to take what he can get from shortstop Kim Ha-sung.
Now, after the regular season, attention will be focused on Kim Ha-sung's choice. Atlanta seems to want Kim Ha-sung to stay for another year through player options next season. What is Kim Ha-sung's choice.
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
