SD owner dispute → Will it increase the possibility of Kim Ha-sung signing a contract? US media "KIM and SD renewal, baseball and financially fit."
SD owner dispute → Will it increase the possibility of Kim Ha-sung signing a contract? US media "KIM and SD renewal, baseball and financially fit."
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It was argued to the San Diego Padres that the reunion with Kim Ha-sung could help financially beyond the team's performance.
The San Diego Union-Tribune, which mainly delivers San Diego news, said on the 26th (Korea time), "The reunion with Kim Ha-sung makes financial sense with baseball in San Diego."
Kim Ha-sung's popularity in Korea leads to San Diego's "import." The media said, "Korean tire manufacturer Nexen is one of San Diego's major sponsors. Nexen announced a three-year partnership when San Diego visited Seoul as the opening series in March," explaining its utility so far. Nexen also served as the Heroes' naming sponsor from 2010 to 2018.
"San Diego will also keep in mind the possibility of collaboration with other companies operating businesses in Korea. When signing Kim Ha-sung's contract in 2021, San Diego CEO Eric Groopner said, "We will increase the club's revenue through a number of business transactions related to Korea."
The media said, "San Diego is located on the western coast of the U.S. and close to Korea, so it has good access to Korea among Major League teams. San Diego's game will be broadcast in Korea, which has a population of more than 50 million. Given the value of Kim Ha-sung, San Diego is likely to consider his potential to generate revenue."
Currently, San Diego is in a bad situation. A year ago, the broadcasting company went bankrupt and the revenue from broadcasting rights disappeared. Also, the owner's wife, Syl, and former owners' brothers Bob and Matt are in a lawsuit after Peter Seidler's death. Sil, the widow, sued Bob and Matt for violating obligations and fraud as trustees. In fact, before Peter's death, she named herself as the manager and said that she and her children should manage the team.
Jurickson Profar, who moved to the Atlanta Braves, also said the owner dispute affected the transfer. Profar said, "Honestly, San Diego has some problems with the owner. It was not easy to go back to San Diego."
The media explained, "The internal dispute over the club's stake negatively affected the team's budget increase plan." As a result, San Diego failed to sign a single FA and trade this off-season.
Kim Ha-sung's ransom is lower than before due to his shoulder injury. Before the 2024 season, the U.S. "The Athletic" predicted that Kim Ha-sung's ransom would reach up to 150 million dollars (about 214.4 billion won) for seven years. After the 2024 season, 안전놀이터 Major League Trade Rumors predicted that Kim Ha-sung would sign a short-term contract of 12 million dollars (about 17.2 billion won) for a year.
To sum it up, he is as follows. Kim Ha-sung's skills are certain. He has secured the Gold Glove in the National League utility division in 2023, and is expected to have double-digit homers and 20 stolen bases. On top of that, he can create new businesses in Korea. He is the best player in San Diego, which cannot spend a lot of money for the time being because his ransom has fallen due to injury.
Meanwhile, his close relationship with Machado is another factor to consider. Machado signed a mega contract worth 350 million U.S. dollars for 11 years with the San Diego Padres after the 2023 season. Unless something unexpected happens, the two sides will accompany him until 2033. The media said that San Diego decision makers seem to value Machado's opinion when forming squads and coaches.
Kim Ha-sung's friendship with Machado is famous. The two players are often seen on the screen playing pranks during the game. When Machado visited Korea for the Seoul Series last year, Kim Ha-sung even presented a customized hanbok.