Kim Ha-sung (30) found his destination by triumphantly reversing the U.S. local media's analysis that he would become a "free agent" Mia. The club that finally reached out to Kim Ha-sung was the Tampa Bay Rays, one of the strongest teams in the American League East.토토사이트

Citing sources, MLB.com and ESPN reported on the 30th (Korea time) that "Kim Ha-sung signed a two-year contract with Tampa Bay for a total of $29 million (about 42 billion won)."

In the meantime, many clubs have been mentioned in the U.S. as Kim Ha-sung's destination. The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners, as well as the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Angels have been listed on the list of candidates for Kim Ha-sung's recruitment. Tampa Bay has rarely been mentioned so far, so it can be said to be a surprise contract.

As was widely known, Kim Ha-sung is currently committed to rehabilitation after undergoing shoulder surgery. Due to injuries, it is virtually difficult to play in the season opener. Nevertheless, Tampa Bay gave Kim Ha-sung a large amount of money. It can be seen that he recognized his value even though he did not know what Kim Ha-sung's condition would be. Tampa Bay signed a four-year, $34 million FA contract with outfielder Greg Vaughan in 1999. And as a fielder, he invested the largest amount of FA in Kim Ha-sung in 26 years after Greg Vaughan. This is the fifth largest in Tampa Bay's FA history.

For now, Kim Ha-sung will receive an annual salary of 13 million U.S. dollars in the 2025 season. He will then receive an annual salary of 16 million dollars in the 2026 season. Kim Ha-sung's annual salary this season is equivalent to the top in his team. It is 2.5 million dollars more than the 10.5 million dollars of infielder Brandon Lowe (31), who was the top-paid player in the team before Kim Ha-sung was recruited. On top of that, if Kim Ha-sung plays 325 times at bat this season, he will earn an additional 2 million dollars in annual salary. In fact, the starting position is also guaranteed. "If Kim Ha-sung returns from injury, he will be the starting player, beating shortstop Taylor Walls (29) in the eighth batting order," MLB.com said.

In fact, some predicted that Kim Ha-sung will sign a contract worth close to $200 million (288.8 billion won) ahead of the 2024 season. If Kim Ha-sung signs a contract worth more than $200 million, it will be the largest contract in Korean Major Leaguer history. The previous Korean Major Leaguer's highest contract was $130 million for seven years, signed by Choo Shin-soo (current SSG Landers) with the Texas Rangers in 2013.

Unfortunately, however, the critical injury has hampered him. Therefore, he signed a short-term contract with Tampa Bay, took a short breath for a while, and then will play again for the super-large jackpot. Surprisingly, however, it has been confirmed that this contract includes a clause that allows the opt-out (breaking the contract due to the exercise of FA rights during the contract period). This means that Kim Ha-sung will return from injury this season and exercise his opt-out right after performing his best, and can come back to the FA market next year. If he plays well this year, there will be more teams that want to sign a long-term contract with Kim Ha-sung. This is the scenario that Kim Ha-sung wants the most. Blake Snell, who moved to the Dodgers ahead of this season, can be a good example. He signed a two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants in March last year for a total of 62 million dollars and then exercised his opt-out right after the end of the season. In addition, he hit a five-year jackpot with the Dodgers for a total of 182 million dollars in the FA status.

Until Kim Ha-sung signed with Tampa Bay, there were many prospects. Among them, there was a negative local analysis. US media ESPN referred to shortstop Kim Ha-sung's name after classifying FA resources by position on the 29th. It is predicted that he will sign a two-year contract worth $42.1 million (about 60.8 billion won) after putting Kim Ha-sung's name on the 25th of the FA's top 50. "San Diego, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Angels are considered suitable teams for Kim Ha-sung, but there is no hole in the shortstop position," the media said. "Kim Ha-sung may not be able to sign a contract until the opening of the season." It was a view that he could become an FA Mia.

However, Kim Ha-sung successfully signed a contract with Tampa Bay, as if to refute such an analysis in just one day. This means that although he was injured, his valuation is high. Last year, MLB.com selected the best free agent by position during the off-season in 2025, and Kim Ha-sung was proudly listed in the utility category. Regarding Kim Ha-sung, the media said, "He can be listed in the shortstop or second baseman category. He can also play as a third baseman. He boasts good defense in any position. Kim Ha-sung said, "I held my gold glove in my arms for the first time since turning to second baseman in 2023."

Kim Ha-sung advanced to the Major League ahead of the 2021 season. At the time, he signed a four-plus-one-year, maximum 39 million-dollar contract with the San Diego Padres. It was a four-year, 28 million-dollar contract guarantee. Then, his four-year contract ended with the end of the 2024 season. In 121 games in the 2024 season, Kim played a batting average of 0.233 (94 hits in 403) with 11 homers, 47 RBIs, 60 runs scored, 58 walks, 77 strikeouts, 22 steals (five failed) with 0.330 on-base percentage, 0.370 slugging percentage, and 0.700 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).