You are born with Kim Ha-sung's money fortune. Unusual MLB market conditions, scarcity + Boras' skills increase the possibility of a big deal
Nov 13, 2025
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There is a growing possibility that Kim Ha-sung will make an unexpected FA hit in the stove league this winter. This is because the situation in the FA market is unusual. In short, the shortstop's seeds dried up in the FA market. This could lead to a lot of love calls for Kim Ha-sung. It means that you may enjoy a 'scarcity premium'.
In addition, Scott Boras, Kim Ha-sung's current agent, is known to make good use of this situation. If things go as Boras wishes, it will not be impossible to approach the total amount of $100 million (about 146.6 billion won) through a long-term contract.
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Even after returning to the big league, his skills hardly recovered. In particular, calf and back injuries occurred, and the bad luck of being on the injured list (IL) twice overlapping. Due to the lack of normal condition, he showed only poor performance in attack. In the end, he played only 24 games in Tampa Bay, hitting a batting average of 0.214 (18 hits in 84 at-bats) with an OPS of 0.611 and receiving a notification of his release in September. It was the biggest crisis in my career.
At least, the Atlanta club, which lacks shortstop resources, made a waiver claim and took Kim Ha-sung, giving him a chance to revive his career. Kim Ha-sung recovered his healthy appearance after joining Atlanta, showing the prowess of the Gold Glove winner in the National League (NL) utility category in the 2023 season. Kim Ha-sung, who also played 24 games in Atlanta, finished the season with a batting average of 0.253 (22 hits in 87 at-bats) with an OPS of 0.684 .
When there were signs of revival in Atlanta, Kim Ha-sung shook off his guaranteed salary of $16 million (about 23.4 billion won) next season and jumped into the FA market by declaring an opt-out. Kim Ha-sung's choice was initially considered an irrational move. Even if he showed a good performance for a while in Atlanta, he still exposed his weaknesses of low batting average and vulnerability to injury. This is why local media have poured out predictions that they can never get a good evaluation in the FA market.
In particular, global sports media ESPN announced the '2025 FA Ranking 50' on the 7th (Korea time), placing Kim Ha-sung in 46th place. This media has even regressed in all respects against Kim Ha-sung" also gave a disastrous evaluation. For that reason, "Kim Ha-sung, who had his worst season since his big league debut this year, rejected the $16 million player option and entered the FA market."Kim Ha-sung, who played a total of 48 games for Tampa Bay and Atlanta after shoulder surgery, regressed in every way. The back injury overlapped, and the speed of the throw did not recover before shoulder surgery. Basically, 2025 was a bad criticism for Kim Ha-sung, saying, `It's like a lost season.'
Until then, Kim Ha-sung's FA declaration was considered a failed choice. However, the atmosphere in the FA market is unusual this winter. It is true that Kim Ha-sung has certainly not been able to exert the same power as before, but he is expected to receive an unexpected high evaluation.
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This is because the data has proven that the defense ability as a shortstop is poor. This season, Bisset's Outs Above Average (OAA) is only -13. It is the lowest rank among MLB shortstop. As a result, there is an atmosphere in which Bissett is viewed as a second baseman resource rather than a shortstop. MLB.COM said on the 12th that `Bissett has continued to play shortstop since his debut in 2019, but he missed the first two rounds of the postseason (Division Series and Championship Series) due to a knee injury. In the World Series, he said, `The clubs with the main shortstop are trying to recruit Bissett as a second baseman or third baseman.'
In the end, if we focus on the 「Ustriker defense」, we do not have FA resources that can surpass Kim Ha-sung. Boras, dubbed the 'Devil Agent', accurately reads this very market game.
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In fact, Boras' comments are not specifically rebutted. It is also true that there are no players in the FA market who have more defensive skills than Kim Ha-sung, and it is also true that Kim Ha-sung has recovered his health at the end of the season. Boras has increased Kim Ha-sung's market value several times just by presenting two facts exquisitely.
As a result, the urgent side is not Kim Ha-sung, but the clubs. We cannot turn a blind eye to a solid defender who can play not only shortstop but also second baseman, the core of defense. It is absolutely necessary. This means that Kim Ha-sung's market value could soar soon. If the negotiation led by Boras continues, Kim Ha-sung is likely to draw another jackpot contract. In a word, it can be said that 'luck' and 'money fortune' followed.
Reporter Lee Won-man wman@sportschosun.com
This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
