The San Diego Padres also need Kim Ha-sung (30). However, Kim Ha-sung, who has not signed a free agent amid unstable club situation, is still a pie in the sky.
The Major League's official website "MLB.com " dealt with the San Diego infield on the 17th (Korea time). Last year, Kim Ha-sung played as the main shortstop, but as he entered the FA market, the San Diego infield is inevitable to change.먹튀검증
MLB.com said, "The San Diego infield's basic settings are third baseman Manny Machado, shortstop Xander Bogaerts and second baseman Jake Cronenworth. The position due to Kim Ha-sung's injury last season remains the same," but believed that such changes could be made through external recruitment or internal trade.
"If San Diego strengthens the infield, it is highly likely to become a shortstop. Bogaerts proved his solid defense as a second baseman last season, and Cronenworth is superior to Luis Arraez in defense at first base," he said, pointing out that the best picture is to arrange it as second baseman Bogaerts, first baseman Cronenworth, and designated hitter Arraez before recruiting shortstop from outside.
If Kim Ha-sung is brought back, this problem will be solved naturally. MLB.com also expected, "If San Diego reunites with Kim Ha-sung, it will greatly strengthen its defense and solve the problem of designated hitters." It is not an impossible scenario for Kim Ha-sung in the FA market as he is not yet under contract, but the reality is poor.
San Diego is having a quieter offseason than ever due to a family dispute over the management rights of the club. Except for a few minor contracts, there is no FA recruitment or trade. In the aftermath of overusing high-value long-term contracts between 2021 and 2023, the payroll was also full, and it has returned to a completely tightening mode since last winter. We can't afford to invest a lot of money in Kim Ha-sung. Reunion is difficult unless Kim Ha-sung significantly lowers the conditions.
Given San Diego's current strength and composition, shortstop is not the top priority. It is more urgent to fill in other positions such as catcher and outfielder. MLB.com said, "San Diego has a bigger question mark than shortstop. If they recruit shortstops, it is highly likely that they will be able to fill in other positions."
The MLB.com also said, "Even if Bogaerts plays shortstop in 2025, his future will be second baseman. It became clear when the San Diego Padres moved Bogaerts to second baseman last spring, respecting Kim Ha-sung," adding, "Leodalis de Vries, the 18-year-old team's No. 2 prospect, is San Diego's future shortstop." He stood out in his first professional season last year, but his performance deteriorated due to his shoulder injury at the end of this season. However, team evaluators praised his potential. "He will soon be positioned between Machado (third base) and Bogaerts (second base)," expecting that the 18-year-old prospect will take over as San Diego's shortstop position.