If the Yankees come at it, Kim Ha-sung will rank No. 1 in FA shortstop, surpassing 22.9 billion annually

Oct 23, 2025

If the Yankees come at it, Kim Ha-sung will rank No. 1 in FA shortstop, surpassing 22.9 billion annually
It seems unlikely that Kim Hye-sung will play for the Atlanta Braves for another year and appear in the FA market next year. AFP Yonhap News



If the Yankees come at it, Kim Ha-sung will rank No. 1 in FA shortstop, surpassing 22.9 billion annually
Kim Ha-sung is considered the best shortstop in the FA market. ImagesYonhap News
The World Series between the LA Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays will begin on the 25th (hereinafter Korean time) and end on November 2 if they go to Game 7.

One of the players who will receive the most attention after the end of the World Series is Kim Ha-sung. Kim Ha-sung, who can play another season for the Atlanta Braves with an annual salary of $16 million (about 22.9 billion won) next year, has to decide whether to implement the player option immediately after the World Series.

For now, the possibility of giving up is high. After moving to Atlanta, he showed his ability to play offense and defense in good health, and there are not many shortstop resources available in the FA market. Some say that Kim Ha-sung is No. 1 in the shortstop rankings.




In a related development, MLB.com reported on the 23rd that many stories about the future of shortstop Kim Ha-sung in an article titled `Gim Ha-sung Peeping' include this question: Do you think he will reject the $16 million player option after an injury-ridden season? To answer this, I see a reason to do so.

If the Yankees come at it, Kim Ha-sung will rank No. 1 in FA shortstop, surpassing 22.9 billion annually
The New York Yankees are also a potential demand club for shortstop Kim Ha-sung. ImagesYonhap News
In October last year, Kim Ha-sung underwent a suture surgery for the right shoulder joint. In August against the Colorado Rockies, he rushed to the opponent's pitcher's surprise check and suffered a strain on his left shoulder in the process of touching the first base. At the same time, the season ended as it was. The FA season ended in the worst-case scenario.

However, he refused next year's mutual options with the San Diego Padres and came to market. Of course, no team appeared to offer a 'guaranteed' multi-year contract, eventually signing with the Tampa Bay Rays for $29 million in the run-up to spring training in February this year.




The return to the Major League took place in early July due to prolonged shoulder rehabilitation this year. However, he played only 24 games in the Tampa Bay uniform. This is because injuries such as back and calf were frequent. In the end, when Tampa Bay sent him out on waivers, Atlanta, whose shortstop was a headache, took over the contract as if it had been waiting.

Kim Ha-sung made his first appearance since moving to the Chicago Cubs on Sept. 3 and hit 0.253 (22 hits in 87 at-bats) with three home runs, 12 RBIs, 14 points and an OPS of 0.684 in 24 games until the end of the season.

MLB.com can get richer multi-year contracts by opting for options at times and producing better next season. However, the shortstop market is barren this winter, and Kim Ha-sung has a rich career. Bobbi??The market value could drop due to its defense, and Trevor Story is expected to remain with the Boston Red Sox, saying, `For this reason, some argue that 30-year-old Kim Ha-sung will be the top target among FA shortstop.'




If the Yankees come at it, Kim Ha-sung will rank No. 1 in FA shortstop, surpassing 22.9 billion annually
New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Wolfie. AP Yonhap News
Agent Scott Boras may be getting a closer look at the market situation. If Boras, who gave a large amount of money by sending most of his customers to the FA market, of course, Kim Ha-sung would have recommended tapping the FA market.

MLB.com added that 'Kim Ha-sung's agent Scott Boras seems to have the evaluation data to believe that his client can sign a multi-year contract that guarantees an average salary of at least $16 million because the team that needs a shortstop also includes the Braves and the New York Yankees.' added that 'Kim Ha-sung has to decide whether to execute the option for five days after the end of the World Series, and the Braves have an exclusive negotiation period of about two weeks.

The scenario that Kim Ha-sung opts out and signs a new multi-year contract with the Braves cannot be ruled out.

In the case of the Yankees, shortstop Anthony Wolfie's hit does not meet expectations, so it is expected to find a shortstop with airlift capabilities. He played in 153 games this year with a batting average of 0.212 with 19 home runs, 72 RBIs, 65 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.663.





This article was translated by Naver AI translator.