It was an adventure worth trying. Kim Ha-seong (30), who turned down the Oakland Athletics' four-year $48 million contract and signed a one-year $20 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, chose to test free agency again. If he had clearly rebounded in Atlanta, he could have aimed for a contract of more than four years and $48 million.
However, Kim Ha-seong's gamble is at risk of being derailed by a ridiculous injury. While staying in Korea during the offseason, he slipped on an icy road and was injured. A tendon in the middle finger of his right hand ruptured and he underwent surgery, and he was diagnosed with four to five months of rehabilitation. As a result, Kim Ha-seong, who also could not join the World Baseball Classic (WBC) Korea national team, may have to miss the entire first half if time to regain game readiness is taken into account.
For Atlanta, which trusted Kim Ha-seong and invested a $20 million salary that ranks tied for third on the team despite it being a one-year contract, it was a bolt from the blue. The day after Atlanta released the news of Kim Ha-seong's injury, Atlanta urgently acquired free agent infielder Jorge Mateo. Mauricio Dubón, a utility player brought in last season via trade, will take the starting shortstop role, and Mateo will serve as the backup.
After that, news about Kim Ha-seong was scarce, but on the 6th (all times Korean time) he appeared on the Atlanta club's YouTube channel. He updated his condition in an interview with Ben Ingram, who handles Atlanta radio broadcasts.
Dressed in a suit with an interpreter, Kim Ha-seong said, "I worked really hard in the offseason. I had an injury last year, and I put in a lot of effort and time to play a full season this year without injuries, but unfortunately I got hurt again. I don't feel good," showing a look of regret.
He continued, "I'm trying to come back as soon as possible thinking about the future. The (rehabilitation) results so far have been reported as good, so I should return as soon as possible and play in games with my teammates to help us win," pledging a quick return.
Because it is a one-year short-term contract, the injury feels more significant. In hindsight, rejecting the Athletics' four-year $48 million offer could be regrettable. Of course, the Athletics' terms amounted to an average of $12 million per year, which is much lower than Atlanta's $20 million, but the stability guaranteed by a four-year contract was not bad.
But Kim Ha-seong wanted to reunite with Atlanta. Asked about the free agent contract process, Kim Ha-seong said, "When I came to Atlanta (last September) I liked it very much. I had good teammates, and the coaching staff and front office made things work together. It was a very enjoyable time," and added, "My first choice was to return to Atlanta. I strongly appealed that to my agent (Scott Boras). With good teammates, a good coaching staff and passionate fans, I really wanted to come back."
Kim Ha-seong also said, "Even when I was with other teams, I felt the fans' passion when I came to Atlanta. I loved and appreciated the parts I felt while playing there," and added, "I need to return as soon as possible and show a good performance. And I think I need to do well again."
Meanwhile, Kim Ha-seong named pitcher Park Chan-ho, nicknamed the "Korean Express," whom he admired as a child. "They are all great seniors and good people, but among them I most want to resemble senior Park Chan-ho, the first Korean to come to the major leagues. He is a player who had a great influence on Korean baseball. We still keep in touch and are on good terms, and I am always grateful that he is my role model," he said, expressing respect for Park Chan-ho as a pioneer in the major leagues despite playing a different position.
Kim Ha-seong himself wants to become that kind of figure. He said, "There are not many Korean players in the major leagues, and not many players have played there, so through me people can get to know Korea better. If I perform well and work hard, I think Asian players and Korean players who dream of the major leagues will have bigger dreams and challenge the major leagues. Thinking that this is happening makes me feel more responsibility," revealing a sense of mission.
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