It is predicted that San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong (28) will not be traded next year.
American media MLB Trade Rumors said on the 26th (Korean time), “It is clear that San Diego expected to win in 2023, considering that the opening game payroll was slightly less than $249 million and the signing of star players. However, they only recorded 77 wins and 80 losses, and are competing for the mathematical possibility of advancing to the postseason. He evaluated San Diego’s season this year, saying, “San Diego had an unusual season in many ways this year, including the 10th best run average in the major leagues (+91), 7 wins and 22 losses in 1-point games, and an incomprehensible 0 wins and 12 losses in overtime.” did.
Last winter, San Diego brought in Xander Bogaerts for 11 years and $280 million (approximately 378 billion won), Yu Darvish for 6 years and $108 million (approximately 145.8 billion won), and Manny Machado for 11 years and $350 million (approx. They did not spare any investment, including signing an extension contract worth approximately KRW 472.5 billion. However, the result that came back was 77 wins, 80 losses, and 4th place in the National League West Division. The district championship race ended early with the Dodgers winning, and in the National League wild card race, San Diego remains in 7th place and is only one loss away from elimination.
Despite these disappointing results, San Diego is not expected to significantly reduce its investment next year. The San Diego Union-Tribune, an American media outlet, predicted that San Diego will cut its payroll next season to avoid luxury tax standards, but will maintain a payroll of about $200 million (about 270 billion won).
According to American media outlet Sportrak, San Diego recorded a team payroll of about $253.29 million (about 341.9 billion won) this season. In order to reduce payroll to $200 million, $50 million must be saved.
MLB Trade Rumors said, “San Diego’s confirmed payroll for 2024 is about $128.5 million (about 173.5 billion won). However, salary adjustment players are excluded here, and Juan Soto, who received $23 million (approximately 31.1 billion won) this year, is important. An important decision facing San Diego is whether to trade Soto, who is expected to receive a large salary increase, this coming winter, or let him play for one more season and then send him to the free agent market. Josh Hader and Blake Snell, who are set to become free agents, will not remain with the team. “It is also questionable whether they will keep Nick Martinez and Michael Waka, and it is highly likely that Seth Lugo will go to the market without exercising his $7.5 million (approximately KRW 10.1 billion) player option.” 스포츠토토
There is a high possibility that many of the key players will leave the team, but it is highly likely that key players, including Kim Ha-seong, will not leave the team next year. The media said, “Despite these changes, San Diego’s overall direction or desire to quickly return to postseason competition in 2024 has not changed. Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Bogaerts, Darvish, Ha-Sung Kim, Joe Musgrove and other key players appear to be in no danger of being traded. “This is because all of their large contracts can easily fit within $200 million.”
Ha-seong Kim, who signed a four-year, $28 million (approximately 37.8 billion won) contract with San Diego for the 2020 season, is in his third season this year. Ha-seong Kim, who is active in 147 games with a batting average of .264 (136 hits in 516 at-bats), 17 home runs, 58 RBIs, 83 runs, 36 steals, and an OPS of .761, is one of the most cost-effective players in San Diego. He will become a free agent after next season.
Fans are watching with interest to see whether Kim Ha-seong, who is expected to show good performance in San Diego next year, will stay in San Diego before becoming a free agent or go to the free agent market and go to another team.