The San Diego Padres has not only Kim Ha-seong, but also players from Asia or who have played an active part in the Asian stage.
Ha-seong Kim and Yu Darvish are representative players who left splendid footprints in their respective leagues in Korea and Japan and crossed over to the major leagues. Kim Ha-seong signed a contract with San Diego with the posting system and stepped on the major league stage and became the starting shortstop. Darvish joined San Diego after going through the Texas, LA Dodgers and Chicago Cubs and reigns as an ace.
Luis Suarez and Nick Martinez of the bullpen both paid attention to their performances in Japan. Suarez played for the Softbank Hawks from 2016 to 2019 and the Hanshin Tigers from 2020 to 2021. In his two seasons with Hanshin, he collected 67 saves. Martinez played for the Nippon Ham Fighters from 2018 to 2020 and the Softbank Hawks in 2021 before signing with San Diego. Both Suárez and Martinez were one of the main players in San Diego’s propaganda last year.
As such, San Diego’s recruitment of Asian players is quite aggressive. And one more Asian player could be added. San Diego also showed interest in Drew Luchinski (Oakland), who was active in the KBO League NC Dinos for four years from 2019 to last year.
On the 11th (hereinafter Korean time), San Diego reporter Dennis Lin of ‘The Athletic’ said in an article predicting San Diego’s 2023 season roster, ‘According to sources, before Luchinski signed a one-year, $3 million contract with Oakland, San Diego was also “I decided to use the money instead to sign Seth Lugo and Matt Carpenter,” he said. On the 12th, an article exploring the offseason of the National League West explained, “San Diego needs more starters, but they wanted Luchinski.”
Luchinski recorded 121 games, 732⅔ innings, 53 wins, 36 losses, 191 walks, 657 strikeouts, and an average ERA of 3.06 in 4 seasons. Last year, he recorded a career-high ERA of 2.91 with 10 wins, 12 losses, 34 walks and 194 strikeouts in 31 games, 193⅔ innings.
He aimed for the major league stage based on his performance in the KBO League, and signed a contract with Oakland for up to 2 years and 8 million dollars when the club option of 3 million dollars for 1 year and 5 million dollars for 2024 is activated.
Before showing interest in Luczynski, he also contacted Senga Godai, a right-hander ace in Nippon Professional Baseball, whom many clubs had rushed to. Senga signed a five-year, $75 million contract with the New York Mets.
He could have more players from Asia in San Diego. Although neither Luczynski nor Senga reached the stage of signing contracts, San Diego, who had fun with Asian players, reaffirmed that their eyes toward Korea and Japan are unusual.
So, can this interest continue next year? Next year, ‘Grandson of the Wind’ and ‘Genius Hitter’ Lee Jung-hoo, who decorated the main page of the Major League homepage, will challenge the Major League. After this season, Lee Jung-hoo, who obtained the qualification for the posting system, expressed his intention to advance to the overseas stage to the Kiwoom club, and the club readily agreed.
The major leagues are well aware of the fact that Lee Jung-hoo dominated the KBO league from his debut and won 5 crowns and MVP last year. Even in the local media, the prospect that his contract will exceed $ 100 million is not uncommon.
San Diego may have completed scouting Lee Jung-hoo, but it is unknown whether they will be interested. I’m guessing because I’m focusing on the Asian stage as well as the club’s gaze. 슬롯사이트
Right now, the starting spot in San Diego’s outfield is full. There’s superstar Juan Sotora and two-time Gold Glove winner Trent Grisham. Tatis Jr., who will return after the ban on banned substances, is also likely to change to the outfield. The backup team consists of prospect Jose Ajoca and Adam Engel, who was released as a non-tender from the Chicago White Sox.
It’s tight at the moment. However, Grisham is one of the trade targets, and Tatis Jr. is also likely to move to the outfield, but the possibility of returning to the infield cannot be ruled out. And there is still a contract extension with Juan Soto, who will become a free agent after 2024.
The current outfield is well organized, but it is full of variables. It is San Diego that also invested a considerable amount of $39 million in 4+1 years for Kim Ha-seong. At the time, he was also evaluated as a redundant investment. However, the unexpected tragedy Fernando Tatis Jr.’s disciplinary action for taking prohibited drugs ironically confirmed the reason for the contract with Kim Ha-sung.
It can be seen that there are more variables in the outfield than when Kim Ha-seong was recruited. In order to prepare for variables, we can pay attention to Lee Jung-hoo. It is difficult to find an environment where it is easier to adapt than San Diego, where both pitchers and fielders have succeeded in having Asian players, and there is no prejudice or prejudice toward Asian baseball. Above all, there is the existence of Kim Ha-seong, a ‘major league senior from Kiwoom’. For Lee Jung-hoo, there will be no more attractive options than San Diego.
Will San Diego invade Asia once again after this season? And could that target be Lee Jung-hoo?