Ha-sung Kim, who won the Golden Gloves. KBO provided
The deadline for posting (private competitive bidding) by Ha-Sung Kim (25, Kiwoom) is approaching, but there is no news of the contract yet. The deadline is at 7am on January 2nd next year.
It is a long-term battle that does not match the atmosphere of the local media, which is reported to be competing for multiple clubs. While several teams are being discussed as the destination of Kim Ha-seong, it is known that Kim Ha-seong is negotiating with one of them over specific contract terms.
According to an official from Kim Ha-sung’s side, the reason the contract, which was likely to be made right now, is delayed is because there is a difference in position in terms of terms rather than the amount. Whether or not the right to veto downgrade in minor leagues is inserted. The club wants a safety device, and Kim Ha-seong wants a complete major league guarantee contract.
From the club’s perspective, 25-year-old Kim Ha-seong is obviously the most attractive player from all KBO league players. There is also a precedent that the beasts from various KBO leagues so far have failed to meet expectations. On the other hand, from a player’s point of view, it is natural that they want to be guaranteed enough opportunities to realize their dreams. Previously, among the beasts, Kim Hyun-soo (LG), who had advanced to Baltimore, had the right to veto minor league relegation in the terms of the contract and exercised it.
Ha-Sung Kim is actively appealing his merits. In the 2020 season, he made a big success with a batting average of 0.306, 30 homers, 109 RBIs, and 23 steals. The baseball prediction system ZiPS (SZymborski Projection System) analyzed that “If Kim Ha-sung converts his 2020 KBO league performance into a major league performance, it will be’a batting average of 0.274, an on-base ratio of 0.345, a slugging ratio of 0.478, 24 homers, and 17 steals.” A factor of evaluation is the consistency of batting 0.294, 133 homers, and 575 RBIs for 7 seasons in the KBO league without injury. Among this year’s free agent (FA), there are many excellent infield resources such as Diddy Gregory, Andrelton Simmons, and Marcus Semieon, but Kim Ha-sung is the only player in his mid-20s with ‘5 tools’.
According to local media, Ryu Hyun-jin (33)’s Toronto and Choo Shin-soo’s (38)’s former team Texas are among the top candidates. There is not much time left for Kim Ha-sung to draw the desired contract and receive a New Year’s gift.
Sung Hwanhee reporter [email protected]
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