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[스포츠서울 윤세호기자] As a result, the predictions of the local media were intact. Shortstop Kim Ha-seong (26), a representative of Korean baseball, entered the big league after signing the highest amount of Korean beasts ever. On the 1st, Ha-sung Kim signed a contract with San Diego for a four-year warranty of $28 million and a maximum of five years, $39 million. It surpassed Kang Jung-ho’s five-year maximum of 16 million dollars in 2015, and Park Byeong-ho’s five-year maximum 18 million dollars in 2016. Big league clubs also watched for their young age, versatility, and improving their skills every year, and Kim Ha-sung chose San Diego as the winner.
After officially signing the contract, Ha-seong Kim returned to Korea through Incheon International Airport on the 2nd. Kim Ha-sung, a domestic agency, ASPEC CORPORATION, said through the official SNS,’Ha-sung Kim signed all contracts with the San Diego Padres and entered Korea through Incheon Airport this morning. Ha-seong Kim, who has moved to the designated self-isolation site, will thoroughly follow the government’s guidelines for the next two weeks, complete self-isolation safely, and digest his personal schedule.’
What is important now is the judgment of the Big League Secretariat and the athletes’ union. The schedule of Ha-Sung Kim is also determined by the secretariat and the athletes’ union. Major League Baseball (ML) still has not confirmed the opening date and number of games this year. As the number of confirmed coronavirus infections (Corona 19) increased explosively in winter, we cannot guarantee a normal season this year following last year. Local media predicted that if the big league is held in a system of 162 matches per team as in the past, it will start on April 1, local time, but it is necessary to prepare for the opening on May 1, 135 games, and the opening on June 1 and 108 games. In a situation where safety is not guaranteed, an excessive opening of the season can be counterproductive.
Naturally, the spring camp schedule is also based on the start date. If the game starts on April 1 and the 162 game system, as before, players will gather around mid-February, but if the number of games decreases, there is no reason to gather from February. In the end, it is also undecided when Kim Ha-seong crosses the Pacific Ocean again. Not only Kim Ha-sung, but also Korean big leaguers Ryu Hyun-jin, Kim Gwang-hyun, and Choi Ji-ji, who are staying in Korea, are not receiving the official schedule from their team. Of course, they will leave for the United States with some time, but in the case of the United States, the isolation standards for entry differ from state to state. After leaving the country, Kim Ha-seong also visited Petco Park, the home stadium of San Diego, and signed the contract. I don’t even need to leave for America early.
Baseball fans as well as big league players are looking forward to confirming the ML opening date and number of games as soon as possible. And, of course, players want a season with no annual salary cut unlike last year by maintaining the 162 game system.