The East Village Times, a local San Diego newspaper, published an article suggesting that the San Diego Padres should hurry up and sign Kim Ha-seong to a long-term contract.
“Players who have played in South Korea or Japan often come with question marks about how well they will perform once they reach the big leagues,” the outlet said on April 4. “Kim was never the best player in the KBO, but he had a solid seven-year career, batting .294 with 133 home runs and 134 stolen bases. His best season came in 2020, when he batted .306 (163-for-533) with 30 home runs, 109 RBI, 111 runs scored and 23 stolen bases.”
The publication continued, “It’s surprising that major league teams didn’t show more interest in Kim after his stellar performance. San Diego gave Kim a four-year, $28 million deal. Given the depth of the San Diego infield, it’s unlikely that Kim will be given many opportunities.”
Kim is on pace for a career-high season, batting .345 (98-for-345) with 15 home runs, 41 RBIs, 60 runs scored and 22 stolen bases.
The Major League Baseball Retired Players Association (MLBPAA) on Thursday announced the 2023 Heart and Hustle Award nominees by club. Ha Sung Kim was selected to represent San Diego.
The Heart and Hustle Award recognizes the active player who best embodies the passion for the game and the values, spirit and traditions of baseball. The winner is voted on by MLBPAA members and announced in mid-November.
According to the East Village Times, “In his third year, Ha-Sung Kim has matured into a big league player. Kim, who is not yet 30 years old, will be eligible for free agency after next season. San Diego can’t afford to let him hit free agency. It’s no exaggeration to say that Kim is one of the best players in the league.”온라인바카
“San Diego should sign Kim to a long-term contract. While his game may decline as he gets older, he’s too versatile to be a risk. General manager A.J. Preller needs to make sure that the Dodgers keep their jewel in the crown for a long time,” emphasized the need for a long-term deal.