The second-tier home run king will also return with the recruitment of 5 billion FA…Hanwha is waiting for Ha Joo-seok's autograph and trade card
The second-tier home run king will also return with the recruitment of 5 billion FA…Hanwha is waiting for Ha Joo-seok's autograph and trade card
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The Hanwha Eagles made a surprise recruitment of Shim Woo-joon (29) on the second day after the FA market opened. At the request of manager Kim Kyung-moon, the team moved quickly to catch Shim with a four-year total of 5 billion won. Shim Woo-joon, who was the main shortstop when KT won its first combined championship in 2021, is recognized as one of the best in the league in defense and baserunning, although his batting is weak.
Shim Woo-joon's trip to Hanwha was like a bolt out of the blue for Ha Joo-seok (29) of the FA. With Shim Woo-joon's arrival, there was no place for Ha to stand at Hanwha. The Hanwha shortstop had been Ha's position for a long time. After returning from military service at Sangmu, he played for six seasons from 2016 to 2022, except for 2019 when he was out for the first time in five games due to knee cruciate ligament injury.
However, after the 2022 season, he was caught drunk driving during the closing camp in Daejeon and was suspended for 70 games, which was a fatal blow. He returned home after completing disciplinary action, but lacked sense of play in actual games, and had the worst season last year with a batting average of around .114 in 25 games. In the meantime, multi-infield backup Lee Do-yoon played as the main shortstop.
Ha started off as the starting shortstop in the opening game this year, as he was desperate ahead of the FA. He had good pace early in the season, but suffered a hamstring injury in 11 games. It took him two months to recover, and after returning to the team, his chances to play in the game decreased. He had a brilliant batting performance from late July to early August, but lost his starting position to Lee Do-yoon again due to unstable defense.
Ha was classified as a B grade where compensation players occur, but he needed to change his position at a time when his position in the team narrowed. He boldly applied for free agency rights, and Hanwha focused more on Shim Woo-joon. As he succeeded in recruiting Shim Woo-joon, he set up a fixed shortstop at the center line. Lee Do-yoon may be a little disappointed as the starting player, but he is impeccable as a backup.
In addition to Shim Woo-joon and Lee Do-yoon, "promising star" Park Jung-hyun (23), who is scheduled to be discharged from the military in June next year, is also on standby as Hanwha's shortstop resources. Park Jung-hyun, who has experience by playing 197 games in the first team for four years from 2020 to 2023, hit hard with a batting average of 313 (a 110 hit in 352) with 16 home runs and 66 RBIs in 91 games in the Futures League this year. He showed off his potential by ranking No. 1 in home runs and RBIs in the Futures Southern League, and No. 2 in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS.
Hanwha needs to yield results immediately, but Park Jung-hyun should also be employed to gradually replace the generation. It is all the more so in that the Hanwha Eagles is capable of hitting the ball that they need. The Hanwha team carefully monitors Park's growth process at Sangmu and is looking for ways to utilize it.
In addition, Bae Seung-soo, Lee Ji-sung and Lee Seung-hyun, who will join the team as rookies next year, were also recognized for their defensive skills by coach Kim Kyung-moon at the Miyazaki Finishing Camp in Japan. Bae Seung-soo in the fourth round and Lee Ji-sung in the seventh round practiced as shortstop, while Lee Seung-hyun, who focuses on second base, was originally a shortstop.
Hanwha, which immediately has a considerable number of shortstop resources including its power and future prospects, does not need Ha Joo-seok anymore. Ha Joo-seok also recommends moving to another team to be guaranteed more chances to play. However, it is not attracting attention in the market because it is Grade B, which requires compensation players other than 25 protected players.
After all, signing and trading are the breakthrough. Hanwha is also positively considering it, but it will be possible only if there is a team that wants Ha. Ha is actively looking into signing and trading behind the scenes, and Hanwha is also waiting to see what kind of card he will receive. Some teams have unclear main shortstop position such as Kiwoom, Doosan, and Lotte, but they are not interested in the external FA market. Now that the year has passed, they have to prepare for a long-term game until January. 먹튀검증
Faced with a harsh reality, Ha has maintained his batting record this year amid limited opportunities to play in 64 games with a batting average of 292 (40 hits in 137 times at bat) and one homer, 11 RBIs and OPS.743. He had as many as seven defensive errors, but made as many as at third base (four), not at shortstop (three). Although Ha's image is not good due to incidents and other incidents, his attitude toward training and relationship with the players is smooth.
Ha's side should also actively appeal these positive points to match his signature and trade card. It is beyond measure in that the card should be a trade card that Hanwha can be satisfied with along with the appropriate contract terms. However, it is best for both teams and individuals to achieve signature and trade somehow. There is no noticeable progress right now, but there is still time.