Jim Bowden, former general manager, forecasts the free agent market

San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong

San Diego Padres’ starting shortstop Kim Ha-seong (28) was rated the 5th highest among infielders eligible to become a free agent (FA) after completing the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. .

Jim Bowden, a columnist and former MLB general manager, ranked free agents by position while predicting this winter’s free agent market through the American sports media The Athletic on the 18th (Korean time).

Bowden ranked Ha-seong Kim as 5th in the infield category and said, “Ha-seong Kim posted a batting average of 0.260, an on-base percentage of 0.351, a slugging percentage of 0.398, 17 home runs and 38 stolen bases last season. He mainly played second base last season and was the best player by position in the league. “He showed off his defensive skills so well that he received the Gold Glove Award (Utility Category), which is given to defenders.”

He also predicted, “Ha-seong Kim will receive an annual salary of $7 million (separate $1 million down payment) if the existing contract is extended by one year, but he will not exercise the option and will enter the free agent market.”

The number one free agent infielder selected by Bowden is home run hitter Pete Alonso (29), the New York Mets’ starting first baseman.

Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman (30) ranked second, New York Yankees second baseman Gleyber Torres (27) ranked third, and Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker (33) ranked fourth.

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (36th, 6th place), who received the National League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) in 2022, and San Francisco Giants’ starting third baseman Matt Chapman (30th, 7th place) were rated lower than Kim Ha-seong.

Bowden attracted attention by selecting fastball pitcher Roki Sasaki (22) of the Chiba Lotte Marines of the Japanese Professional Baseball League as the third best free agent in the pitcher category. 토토사이트