The reality of the off-season has been revealed, the possibility of Lee Jeong-hoo and Ohtani joining forces.
San Diego general manager AJ Preller is famous for making major trades that would surprise the major leagues. He is nicknamed 'Mad Man' for his sometimes unconventional and sometimes incomprehensible trades. Everyone on his roster, with the exception of a few players, will inevitably be faced with the word trade.
The same goes for Kim Ha-seong (29, San Diego), who has now become a key player in the team. The possibility of a trade was first discussed in the winter of 2022. General Manager Preller revealed that during the 2022 Winter Meeting, many teams had inquired about the possibility of trading Kim Ha-seong and then-team outfielder Trent Grisham (current New York Yankees). Until then, San Diego had a grand dream of conquering the National League West Division, and although it did not come true, it was the moment when Kim Ha-seong's name was listed on the trade block for the first time.
During the 2023 season and even after the season ended, talk of Kim Ha-seong's trade continued. Many media outlets, especially reporters who can be considered major league sources, unanimously said, “Kim Ha-sung is very popular in the trade market.” As a result, the Kim Ha-seong trade did not take place, but many media outlets suspect that there were trade discussions. It is said that this is the reason why Kim Ha-seong and Xander Bogaerts' defensive positions were changed just before the start of spring training.
In fact, General Manager Preller made two major trades this offseason. San Diego, which had spent money without hesitation to win the district, tightened its belt this offseason. It was a direct aftereffect of the bankruptcy of the hosting broadcaster, Diamond Sports Group. In the end, numerous players, including ace Blake Snell and closer Josh Hader, who qualified as free agents, left the team without even discussing contract renewals.
In the process, the team's salary decreased, but the team's strength also weakened. It was difficult for San Diego to spend a lot of money in the free agent market, so the only option was a trade. A large trade was made in the process of selling Juan Soto, who had been difficult to obtain as a free agent, to the New York Yankees, and just before the season, another large trade was made in the process of recruiting Dylan Seeds to strengthen the starting lineup.
However, it turned out that General Manager Preller was also considering additional trades. According to a report by North American sports media outlet 'The Athletic' on the 4th, General Manager Preller turned his attention to Miami after failing to trade Corbin Burns (Milwaukee). He did so in order to acquire Miami's young starting pitcher, Jesus Luzado, who was a somewhat proven resource, had a lot of time left until free agency, and had a low salary. He deservedly had to pay a high price. The analysis is that in the end, it didn't work out and he turned to a Siege trade.
However, the media reported that San Diego was interested in not only Luzado but also All-Star second baseman Luis Araes. Araes is the player who won the National League batting title last year. Although he is not a player with great slugging power, his contact ability is recognized as being among the best in the league.
San Diego's infield is already full. The main players are first baseman Jake Cronenworth, second baseman Xander Bogaerts, shortstop Kim Ha-seong, and third baseman Manny Machado. Luzado was an essential resource for the team, but there are doubts as to whether Araes was so. However, 'The Athletic' speculated that San Diego was considering a trade for Cronenworth and was also concerned about Machado's third base defense after undergoing elbow surgery.
In this case, there is a picture of Kim Ha-seong at third base, Bogaerts at shortstop, and Araes at second base. You can also picture Machado and Araes taking turns as designated hitter. In the end, it is evaluated that San Diego conducted complex trade discussions and plans this off-season, and the reason why Kim Ha-seong's conversion to shortstop was decided only at the beginning of spring training, not in the off-season, is revealed.
In any case, the Kim Ha-seong trade, which attracted attention, did not take place in the off-season, and Kim Ha-seong started the 2024 regular season by boarding a plane to the Seoul Series with his teammates. However, local media predict that Kim Ha-seong will eventually be traded ahead of this season's trade deadline. There are several reasons.
Ha-seong Kim's ransom has already soared to the mid-$100 million total. It is unclear whether San Diego, which is trying to reduce team payroll, will have the money to hire Ha-seong Kim. The team is already full of long-term contractees. Liquidity is lacking. In addition, Jackson Merrill, who is playing center field this year but is one of the best shortstop prospects in the league, is also holding on. Starting next year, it is worth drawing a picture of Merrill playing as the starting shortstop. After doing our best until July, if the possibility of advancing to the postseason decreases, we can move forward with a trade for Kim Ha-seong.
On the 4th, sports media outlet 'Bleacher Report' also ranked Kim Ha-seong as 4th among the 10 players most likely to be traded this year. 'Bleacher Report' said, 'Ha-Sung Kim looked destined to be traded all winter, but the San Diego Padres made a quick buck with the Dylan Seeds trade and now look like a legitimate postseason contender,' but 'the Padres only have a 36.9% chance of making the playoffs.' . Considering the strength of the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks, it is highly likely that they will remain in 4th place, let alone 1st or 2nd place in the National League West Division,' he said, pointing out San Diego's limitations.
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