Kim Ha-sung is expected to go to the Yankees, and his annual salary is expected to reach 28.7 billion...Will the FA Shortstop Market Shake Up
Nov 04, 2025
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The U.S. media, including the Major League website MLB.com , reported on the 4th (Korea time) 'Kim Ha-sung gave up the option of $16 million (about 23 billion won) in 2026 and qualified as an FA'
The Atlanta Braves are behind Kim Ha-sung's bold challenge to re-run the FA.
Kim Ha-sung was unable to sign a good FA contract because he had surgery for a serious shoulder injury at the end of last season. The Tampa Bay Rays and $29 million (about 41.7 billion won) for one plus one year were first stamped, and they dreamed of rebounding this year, but they had difficulties in Tampa Bay. The recovery time was longer than expected, so he returned to the big league only in July, but he was unable to avoid release due to minor injuries such as his back and calf.
Atlanta quickly recruited Kim Ha-sung as a waver claim as soon as he was released in early September. Atlanta's biggest concern was the absence of the main shortstop. Shortstop players were suffering from poor offensive productivity, and Kim Ha-sung was the best card that was not expensive with defense and attack power. Since moving to Atlanta, Kim Ha-sung has hit 0.253 (22 hits in 87 at-bats), three home runs, 12 RBIs and an OPS of 0.684 in 24 games, marking the beginning of his revival.
Atlanta strongly appealed that it wanted the shortstop to be Kim Ha-sung next season, but failed to sign an extension before going to the market as an FA. The appropriate amount Atlanta thinks and the amount Kim Ha-sung thinks may not have been right, and Kim Ha-sung may have wanted to be properly evaluated by the market and compare the conditions.
The FA shortstop market is in demand, but there are not many top players. Bobbi??Among the FA shortstop players, he expects to be the only one who can sign more than 100 million U.S. dollars (about 143.9 billion won) with his offense, but there is a common opinion that his defense is falling a lot. Rain?? The next player with high value is Kim Ha-sung.
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Of course, there are not only positive reviews. The U.S. sports media 'The Athletic' predicted Kim Ha-sung's contract to be only $39 million (about 56.1 billion won) for three years. He analyzed that there are still variables because he couldn't play full-time due to injuries this year and suffered from minor injuries in Tampa Bay anyway.
MLB.com predicted that Kim Ha-sung could become the biggest shortstop FA fish. The defense is too weak to have rain as the biggest shortstop's word.
Kim Ha-sung's likely destination was the New York Yankees. Atlanta's hesitancy without signing an extension so far means a transfer.
MLB.com says if the Yankees recruit Kim Ha-sung or another shortstop, Atlanta's Anthony Wolfie, who has struggled as a Yankees shortstop over the past two seasons, could be the new option. Wolfie is just 24 years old, and he recorded bWAR (contribution to victory over replacement) of 3 or more in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
The Athletic mentioned five clubs, Atlanta, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers and San Francisco Giants, as teams that would suit Kim Ha-sung.
Kim Ha-sung signed a four-year, $28 million contract with San Diego in 2021 and advanced to the big league for the first time. His overall performance in the big leagues is 588 games, a batting average of 0.242 (458 hits in 1,896 at-bats), 52 home runs, 217 RBIs, and an OPS of 0.701. It's raining??It may be more regrettable than that, but he showed off his aspect as a hotachoon by recording 17 home runs and 38 steals in 2023, which was healthy. In 2023, he is considered a valuable player in offense and defense, winning the Gold Glove for the first time in Asian infielder history.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
