KIM HA-SUNG'S AFFECTION FOR SAN DIEGO, ACQUAINTANCE'S TESTIMONY THAT "HE ALREADY LEFT EARLY LAST YEAR."

Kim Ha-sung's affection for San Diego, acquaintance's testimony that "he already left early last year."

Kim Ha-sung's affection for San Diego, acquaintance's testimony that "he already left early last year."

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Sports Arizona reporter Lee Sang-hee) Testified that Kim Ha-sung (30)'s affection for his former team San Diego had already left early last year.메이저놀이터

"After (Kim) Ha-sung entered the Major League last weekend, he performed really well in 2023," the San Diego manager told MHN Sports on condition of anonymity. However, in the same year, his team signed extended contracts with a number of players including Japanese pitcher Darvish Yu and infielder Jake Cronenworth. However, Ha-sung did not do it for him."

He continued, "Because of this, Ha-sung seemed to have suffered a lot of self-esteem at that time. He seemed to be looking forward to it. In a meeting together, he said, "If a multi-year contract proposal does not come in by the beginning of next season, I think it would be better to become an FA (free agent) without executing the option."

Kim Ha-sung, who entered the Major League after signing a four-plus-one-year contract with the San Diego Padres in 2021, struggled to adapt to the new league in his first year. He played in a total of 117 games, but only hit 0.202 with eight home runs, 34 RBIs and six steals. His OPS, which is the combination of slugging percentage and on-base percentage, also stood at 0.622.

However, starting in 2022, Kim began to rebound as if he had already gotten used to it. Playing in a total of 150 games that year, he posted a batting average of 0.251, 11 homers, 59 RBIs and 12 steals. His OPS also improved to 0.708.

The year 2023 was the best season for Kim. He played in a total of 152 games, posting a batting average of 0.260 with 17 homers, 60 RBIs and 38 steals. His OPS also hit a career high with 0.749. After the season's end, he even won the Gold Glove Award, which is given to the best defender in each position.

However, that year, San Diego signed a $108 million extension with Japanese pitcher Darvish. Not long after, infielder Cronenworth also signed a seven-year, $80 million extension. However, as A mentioned earlier, the news of Kim Ha-sung's extension contract was not heard at all. Even though Cronenworth's performance was not significantly better than that of Kim Ha-sung. "Ha-sung seemed to be expecting an extension contract," A said.

Kim Ha-sung, who expected an extension contract with his former team San Diego, struggled in the early last season. However, as time passed, he seemed to find his place. U.S. media outlets also forecast that Kim Ha-sung's broad defense and ability to hit double-digit homers in a season can make multi-year contracts worth more than 100 million U.S. dollars once he enters the FA market.

However, Kim Ha-seong suffered an injury when he was going to the first base during an away game against Colorado last year. "It's not a serious injury. I think I'll be able to come back soon," the San Diego Padres said in a positive note. However, it ended up being a wishful thinking.

Kim Ha-sung's team advanced to the postseason, but he failed to return to the field in the end. And he got on the operating table. Even if the rehabilitation ends well as scheduled, it seems that he will not be able to return until May this year. Some also expressed a somewhat negative view that it may take more time.

Therefore, as shown by replacing his agent with Scott Boras after the end of last season, Kim Ha-sung, who came to the FA market, has yet to release specific contract news even if the year changes. FA infielders who are similar to him are finding new teams one after another.

Since the FA market opened last winter, Kim Ha-sung has been linked to a number of clubs including San Francisco, LA Dodgers, Atlanta, and Washington. However, all of them are preparing for the 2025 season by recruiting players other than Kim Ha-sung.

Fans are paying attention to when Kim Ha-sung's contract news will be heard, but considering the current market atmosphere, it will take quite some time in the future.

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