Trade rumors about Kim Ha-seong (San Diego Padres) continue. This time, the Boston Red Sox were mentioned again. The left center infield was virtually empty after giving free agent Zander Bogatz to San Diego. Bleacher Report said on the 9th (Korean time), “Boston = Kim Ha-seong” and said, “It will be suitable because of the shortstop’s big hole.”
The media saw that ‘Ace of the past’ Chris Sale was traded to San Diego before the opening of spring camp, and Ha-seong Kim or Trent Grisham could go to Boston as a counterweight. The Athletic even mentioned what was first reported. 스포츠토토
It is true that San Diego needs reinforcements in its starting lineup. The weight of the 4th and 5th starters following Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, and Blake Snell is somewhat less. Locally, the possibility of recruiting Trevor Bauer, who was kicked out of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is mentioned, but it is not likely to be realized.
That being said, is there any reason why San Diego would go so far as to recruit Seil while giving up Kim Ha-sung? Bleacher Report said, “It is the best in major league history in terms of strikeouts and walk rates per 9 innings. The sale will be a great opportunity for San Diego.”
But Sale has been virtually non-existent since 2019. As soon as he signed a five-year, $145 million extension with Boston, he went 6-11 with a 4.40 ERA in 25 games. Prior to the 2020 season, he underwent Tommy John surgery, and in 2021, he recorded an ERA of 3.16 with 5 wins and 1 loss in 9 games, and an ERA of 3.18 with 1 loss in 2 games in 2022.
His ribs, fingers, wrists, etc. are injured one after another, and he has become an injury-prone. He’s a lefty ace feeling that can be powerful if he’s healthy, but there’s absolutely no guarantee that he’ll play full-time healthy. Moreover, a contract worth 55 million dollars (approximately 68.5 billion won) for the next two years remains. Should San Diego take on this and even give up Kim Ha-seong, whose value is rising?
Ha-seong Kim has been reborn as the best defensive shortstop in the major leagues. As his popularity grew, he became a target for teams that needed reinforcements at shortstop. It is also true that Kim Ha-seong suits Boston. However, in order to actually receive Kim Ha-seong in return for the sale, at least a certain amount of annual salary subsidy must be provided.
Bleacher Report also said, “Considering that Sale will have to receive $41 million more than Kim Ha-seong for the next two seasons, a one-on-one exchange with Kim Ha-seong is unlikely to work. There could also be a scenario where Boston pays off some of Sale’s remaining salary as a means to buy additional talent from San Diego.”