'Wow' Kim Ha-sung + Otani + South Korean WBC national team LAD is becoming a reality, but 'local interest in the U.S. ↑'
'Wow' Kim Ha-sung + Otani + South Korean WBC national team LAD is becoming a reality, but 'local interest in the U.S. ↑'
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The Los Angeles Dodgers, which won the 2024 World Series, are showing interest in Kim Ha-sung (29), a free agent infielder, according to local reports. If the report becomes a reality, it will be seen that Korean superstar Kim Ha-sung, Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani (30, LA Dodgers), and Tommy Hyun-soo (29, LA Dodgers), who played for the Korean national team in the WBC (World Baseball Classic), are on the ground together. Considering Ohtani, who is popular in Korea as well as Edman, it is news that makes Korean fans' hearts flutter.먹튀검증
The Athletic, a U.S. sports media outlet, reported on the 22nd (Korea time) that the Los Angeles Dodgers are having difficulty negotiating with outfielder Teoscar Hernandez (32) and mentioned Kim Ha-sung as an alternative.
Hernandez played in 154 games in the 2024 season and contributed greatly to the Dodgers' World Series championship by playing well with a batting average of 0.272, 33 home runs and 99 RBIs. In particular, Hernandez showed strong performance in big games by posting outstanding performances of .350 with one home run and four RBIs in five World Series games, and a batting average of .417 with three home runs and 12 RBIs in the postseason.
Hernandez has become a free agent after the 2024 season. The Dodgers is also trying to catch Hernandez, but it seems to be not easy. According to the media, Hernandez wants a three-year contract with a maximum amount of 72 million U.S. dollars. However, the Dodgers, which already have a large number of big names, are reluctant to do so. Other destinations Hernandez is targeting include the Boston Red Sox, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Kansas City Royals.
In response, the Dodgers seem to be preparing for the case of Hernandez's departure. As an alternative, Kim Ha-sung's name was mentioned. The media said, "The Dodgers are exploring a number of interesting right-handed batter options. Kim Ha-sung, Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs), and Louis Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox) are considering potential options as alternatives for the Dodgers," and added, "Recruitment through trade can also be a card." The media added, "In the case of Kim Ha-sung, it will be the most interesting recruitment."
Kim played in 121 games this season and posted a batting average of 0.233 (94 hits in 403 times at bat), 11 homers, 47 RBIs, 60 runs scored, 58 walks, 77 strikeouts, 22 steals (five failed), 0.330 on-base percentage, 0.370 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) and 0.700 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS). Above all, Kim Ha-sung is a utility player who boasts the best defense capability in the Major League. His biggest advantage is that he can play various positions including shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman. He was the first Asian infielder to win the Gold Glove Award.
The Dodgers plans to return Mookie Betts to shortstop in the 2025 season, according to the media. As a result, the team needs more resources in the outfield than in the infield. However, the media praised him as a versatile defender who can play any position in the infield once he recovers his shoulder from surgery.
He continued, "Other teams are considering Kim Ha-sung as a second baseman or shortstop. Until Kim Ha-sung recovers to good health, the Dodgers can use Betts as a shortstop and Tommy Hyun-soo Edman or Gavin Lux as a second baseman."