Kim Ha-sung rejected all requests for trade, but... The president of the club explained it himself, 3 reasons why he released it

Sep 02, 2025

Kim Ha-sung rejected all requests for trade, but... The president of the club explained it himself, 3 reasons why he released it
Kim Ha-sung (right) in conversation with his Tampa Bay colleague. AFP Yonhap News



This is shocking news. Kim Ha-sung, who won the Gold Glove while playing as a major league infielder, moved his team after being released from the Tampa Bay Rays. Why did the club give up on him.

The Tampa Bay Rays announced waivers of infielder Kim Ha-sung on their official website on the 2nd (Korea time), and announced that the Atlanta Braves recruited him shortly after the announcement.

The Atlanta club, which became Kim Ha-sung's new team, recruited Kim Ha-sung through waivers from Tampa Bay on the same day. Atlanta placed infielder Austin Riley on the 60-day injured list to secure a spot on the 40-man roster..."




This confirms the transfer. Kim Ha-sung, who played as the top shortstop in the KBO League as a member of the Heroes, was qualified to post after the 2020 season and tried to advance to the Major League. Kim Ha-sung, who signed a contract with the San Diego Padres at the time 'Star Corps', raised his stock price by winning the Gold Glove in the 2023 Major League Utility category.

However, he was hampered by a sudden injury last year ahead of his first FA. He ended the season early due to a shoulder injury during the game in August last year and was put on the operating table. Since then, he has devoted himself to recovery and rehabilitation.

Kim Ha-sung rejected all requests for trade, but... The president of the club explained it himself, 3 reasons why he released it
Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn ImagesYonhap News
There were many opinions predicting the FA re-entry, but Kim Ha-sung took on the challenge. He left San Diego and coordinated his contract with another team, but no team offered Kim Ha-sung, who is in rehabilitation, a long-term contract. In the end, he signed a contract with Tampa Bay, which needed a key shortstop, for up to $29 million in terms of 1+1 year (player option). With a short-term contract, the team and the players will also be 'WinWin'. Kim Ha-sung may be eligible for FA after the 2025 season or may choose to stay.




But the short trip ended in 24 games. Although Kim Ha-sung returned in early July, he suffered a hamstring injury just before his return, followed by a right calf and waist injury after his return. This is the first time in Kim Ha-sung's career. Kim Ha-sung was also on the injured list (IL) due to back muscle spasms on the 21st of last month, and was announced on waivers just before his return.

"MLB.com " has received several calls from clubs interested in Kim Ha-sung ahead of Tampa Bay's July 31 trade deadline. But he didn't respond, hoping he would contribute to reversing his mid-season slump," he reported.

Kim Ha-sung rejected all requests for trade, but... The president of the club explained it himself, 3 reasons why he released it
AFP Yonhap News
Eric Nieder, president of Tampa Bay's baseball division, said three factors played a role in sending Kim Ha-sung. "Kim Ha-sung's difficulties with continuing to suffer from injuries, Tampa Bay's position in the playoff race, and the opportunity to evaluate top prospect Carson Williams in the final month of the regular season," Nieder said, citing reasons for sending Kim Ha-sung.




"If we had exceeded 50% of the winning rate in the last 10 games, we would not have announced Kim Ha-sung on waivers," Nieder said. "If so, this was not a consideration." But we didn't."

In the end, for Tampa Bay, which is 'Small Market', the ransom of Kim Ha-sung, the highest salary in the team, is a burden, and the inability to properly utilize him due to injury has come to a fatal end. In addition, if the team has a possibility of advancing to the postseason, it could have expected Kim Ha-sung's last-minute performance, but that is less likely at the moment. Rather, the conviction that reducing the salary burden and hiring Williams, a shortstop prospect, was a better choice for next year was at work.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.