The temperature difference between Korea and Japan posting is different. Sasaki is on a negotiation tour. What about Kim Hye-sung?
The temperature difference between Korea and Japan posting is different. Sasaki is on a negotiation tour. What about Kim Hye-sung?
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I expected it, but I didn't expect the gap to be this wide.
The move of the Korea-Japan "Baseball Young Star," which is knocking on the door of the U.S. Major League Baseball (MLB) through the posting system, is polarizing.
One side is already receiving "Ace" treatment and is going on a "negotiation tour" where they meet with famous teams one after another amid keen interest. The other side was mentioned several times in local media at the beginning of the posting. It is questionable whether negotiations are going well. His presence has disappeared.
A cold assessment of the player's ability level and the bitter reality of the current demand in the MLB market. This is the current situation of infielder Kim Hye-sung (25) from the KBO League and light-speed pitcher Loki Sasaki (23) from the NPB. With Sasaki set to meet MLB giants one after another, starting with the New York Mets, Kim Hye-sung has not appeared with any clubs showing particular interest.
The reason Kim is treated coldly is the atmosphere of the stove league, which has cooled down exceptionally quickly this year. However, this is not all. The more important reason is that Kim's position and stat itself are not very attractive.
Kim Hye-sung, who appeared in the first division of the Kiwoom Heroes in 2017, has made remarkable progress. When he first appeared in the first division, he was evaluated as a backup agent specializing in defense and baserunning. However, he has grown into a main player of the team and a national infielder through constant training and concentration in games. He played in 953 games in the first division of the KBO League, posting a total batting average of 340. He hit 37 home runs-386 RBIs and 591 runs and 211 steals.
He also excelled in defense. He won his first career Golden Glove as a shortstop in 2021. He changed his position to a second baseman and won the Golden Glove for the third consecutive year from 2022 to this year. However, the situation is limited to "second basemen." Due to his weak throwing ability, he was evaluated as not suitable as a shortstop. For this reason, he has played almost as a built-in second baseman since 2022. He has very few experiences as a third baseman.
To appeal to the Major League as an infielder, 'multi-position ability' is important. Or you have to shoot an excellent offense and defense capability in one position. Kim Hye-sung's offense and defense capabilities are all intermediate. It is difficult for MLB clubs to reach out. I fully understand that he is a 'fine player', but I am not convinced that he is a 'must-have player'. Even if he has a good base running ability, it is an area that is activated only when he is on base in the game.
For this reason, local media such as Bleacher Report, MLB.COM, and ESPN did not give Kim much positive feedback from the beginning of the posting. Most of the analyses focused on the gist of "It is worth bringing it to an affordable price." However, it is not a good marketing method to appeal at an affordable price. If people think that it is not cheap, they may not be given enough opportunities even if they succeed in signing a posting contract.
Kim Hye-sung has about 15 days left. Negotiations should take place by January 4 next year. If there is no proper negotiation within this period, he should pack up and come back. There is not much time. Of course, Kim Ha-sung, a former Kiwoom senior and winner of the 2023 National League's utility division Gold Glove, also signed a contract 25 days after posting.
While Kim Hye-sung is in the cold wind in the stove league, Sasaki is busy adjusting the negotiation schedule. MLB clubs in need of starting pitchers are clamoring for each other to "meet." Sasaki has plenty of room. Take your time and slowly meet several clubs and choose the team that offers the highest amount of posting, or the team you want to go to the most.
This is because he is already being treated as an ace. Sasaki, who started posting on the 10th, was one of the top topics during the MLB winter meeting. Several factors worked positively for Sashiki. First of all, starters are always welcome. This is a story not only for MLB, but also for KBO and NPB. 안전놀이터
Moreover, Sashi is a pitcher who throws fastballs at an average speed of 96.9 miles per hour. The figure was recorded by the NPB in 2024. It is not the maximum speed, but the average fastball velocity. On top of that, the team is composed of attractive elements such as "early 20s" and "character with a dramatic growth story." Shohei Ohtani's success story also helped the MLB team become enthusiastic about Sasaki.
As a result, they have a tight schedule for negotiations. They have already met with the New York Mets, and are scheduled to meet with the next New York Yankees. SNY reporter Andy Martino quoted a source as saying on Tuesday (Korea time) that the Mets met with Sashiki, an FA pitcher.
The Mets acquired Juan Soto from the Stove League and spent a lot of money. They also paid him 15 years - 765 million U.S. dollars. Still, they have enough money to spend. By making Sasaki one of the pillars of their rotation as a starting pitcher, the Mets are aiming to win the title next season. MLB.COM also said that the Mets, who are aiming to win the World Series for the first time since 1986, will recruit Sasaki, adding that they can build a formidable one-two punch with Suga Godai.
Sasaki has plenty of leeway to play. Many teams want to meet after the Mets. "I will meet with Sasaki soon," Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said in person. The date and location are undecided.
Big market clubs such as the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, and Texas Rangers, as well as small market clubs such as the Tampa Bay Rays and Kansas City Royals, are challenging themselves. All situations are in Sasaki's favor. In other words, she and Kim are completely different.