SD Austerity Mode
Can Kim Ha-sung Really Trade
SD Austerity Mode, Can Kim Ha-sung Really Trade
The "snowball" of the broadcasting broadcaster's bankruptcy and postseason failure makes Kim Ha-sung's future unpredictable.
San Diego is currently in a tightening mode. San Diego has made huge investments without considering the future. It has signed big contracts with Fernando Tatis Jr. 14 years, 340 million dollars, Joe Musgrove 5 years, 100 million dollars, Xander Bogaerts 11 years, 280 million dollars, Darvish Yu 1 years, 108 million dollars, Manny Machado 11 years, 350 million dollars, and Jake Cronenworth seven years, 80 million dollars. It has spent a lot of money over the past three years without looking back.
The result was disastrous. Last year's advance to the postseason and the National League Championship Series became a catalyst and increased the size of investment, but it faced an unexpected backlash. In May, Diamond Sports Group, the owner of Valley Sports, the team's exclusive broadcasting company, went bankrupt due to its inability to handle more than 1 trillion won in debt, and its broadcasting rights were cut off. It suffered a severe blow to its finances as it cut off its broadcasting rights income, which was expected to receive 1.2 billion dollars for 12 years and 60 million dollars per year for 20 years from 2013.
In September, he received an emergency loan of $50 million due to short-term cash flow problems. San Diego also failed to advance to the postseason this year, ranking third in the National League West with 82-80 wins. Long-term contracts without an exit strategy, the bankruptcy of broadcasting companies, and the profits that could be made from entering the postseason have all evaporated.
San Diego eventually enters a tight fiscal mode. Ahead of the opening of this season, the team's total annual salary reached a record high of $255 million. It is in a position to drastically reduce this vast amount of living. Dennis Lin, a reporter for San Diego at the North American sports media The Athletic, said on the 17th Korean time, "San Diego is trying to reduce its total annual salary to below $200 million next season," adding, "Infielder Jake Cronenworth and Kim Ha-sung are included in the trade list."
San Diego has already sent Juan Soto, a "pre-FA" who is expected to earn more than $30 million next year, to the New York Yankees, and also sent outfielder Trent Grisham, who is eligible for salary arbitration and is likely to earn more than $3 million next year. Instead, Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Johnny Brito, Randy Vazquez and Kyle Higashioka have yet to qualify for salary adjustment, or have received low salaries and promising players. In addition, Matt Carpenter, a designated hitter with an annual salary of $5.5 million next year, also sent pitcher Ray Kerr to the Atlanta Braves in exchange for $1.5 million.
They are leaving the players one by one. Kim Ha-sung cannot be an exception to the trend of the bomb sale. Rather, the local atmosphere sees Kim Ha-sung as the most likely trade candidate. Kim Ha-sung's annual salary next year is $8 million. San Diego wants to reduce even this. In addition, as this season is over and Kim Ha-sung can reject mutual options and qualify as a free agent, the right time for trade is now.
Bob Nightingale of USA Today appeared on the live broadcast of the "Hog Watch" channel covering San Diego news on the 21st and said, "Both Kim Ha-sung and Cronenworth are on the trade list, but I don't think they will move," but "San Diego can spend an additional $20 to $25 million." San Diego has a lot of places to fill. We will hear more trade proposals regarding Kim Ha-sung. Kim Ha-sung can definitely fill up the pieces that the team needs. He can use it for one more year, but he can get controllable young starting resources while saving $8 million."
The San Diego local media "East Village Times" also said on the 18th, "The San Diego roster needs to be reinforced and the Kim Ha-sung trade could be the answer. In order to meet the $200 million in the current roster composition, an additional $50 million to $55 million must be spent. We need two starters, two outfielders, and a proven pitcher who can serve as a closer," he said. "But we need to recruit a lot of players for the budget and make concessions."
The media then said, "Kim Ha-sung has become a truly loved player by fans over the past few seasons. His style of play is highly contagious and loved by everyone," but predicted, "His last season next year's annual salary is $8 million. If he does not accept the $1 million mutual option in 2025, Kim Ha-sung, who will become an FA at the age of 29, will receive a huge amount of money. It seems difficult to renew his contract with Kim Ha-sung, who will demand more than $100 million in the FA market after next season."
He also said, "We need to maximize his value and earn proper profits now. We can save 10 million U.S. dollars including 8 million dollars in annual salary and 2 million dollars in buyouts next year. We can use that money to strengthen the roster," adding, "We need to strengthen the squad through Kim Ha-sung's trade."
Of course, this media outlet said, "Kim Ha-sung is a player who represents the soul of the team, so he can renew his contract or sign an extension. Machado loves Kim Ha-sung, so he won't be happy if he gets traded. It's called business, but chemistry has a big impact on wins and losses," stressing the need for Kim Ha-sung, adding, "San Diego will wait until the market calms down. If you wait, you will find a good player."
Kim Ha-sung's future is unclear, but what is certain is that San Diego will have to reduce the total annual salary somehow, and that Kim Ha-sung is currently well worth the trade and is a resource that all clubs will covet.
The Boston Red Sox, which need to reinforce its infield, also want Kim Ha-sung. Jen McCaffrey, Boston correspondent for The Athletic, quoted Dennis Lin as saying, "Kim Ha-sung is the perfect player for Boston's defense and contract," stressing that he should be brought in by trade.
San Diego's Earth rival San Francisco also argues that Kim Ha-sung needs to be reinforced. The San Francisco Chronicle is considering a trade to recruit a shortstop on the 19th. A package that includes one or two young pitchers in Joey Bart and the team's surplus outfielder can identify a trade with a player like Kim Ha-sung of San Diego. Willy Adames of Milwaukee could also be a potential target. 스포츠토토
Will Kim Ha-sung really leave San Diego? If Kim Ha-sung leaves San Diego, the opening game of the MLB World Tour Seoul in March next year will inevitably be out of steam.