Lee Jung-hoo-Kim Ha-sung, do you run together pros and cons of SD
The New York Yankees and San Diego Padres made a big trade. As a result, the possibility of Lee Jung-hoo (25) going to the Yankees disappeared. On the other hand, the possibility of going to San Diego has risen rapidly. The New York Post, a U.S. media outlet, reported on the 7th that the Yankees and San Diego Padres agreed to trade Juan Soto. The Yankees receive outfielders Soto and Trent Grisham from San Diego, and the San Diego Padres get pitchers Michael King, Drew Toff, Jonny Brito, Randy Vazquez, and catcher Kyle Higashioka from the Yankees. It is a huge trade in which a total of seven players change their uniforms. Initially, the Yankees were considered one of the leading destinations for Lee Jung-hoo. This is because they lacked outfield resources and found left-handed hitters. In fact, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman confirmed his meeting with Scott Boras, Lee Jung-hoo's agent, on the 6th, acknowledging his interest in Lee Jung-hoo. However, after Cashman's remarks, the Yankees acquired left-handed outfielder Alex Verdugo in a trade with the Boston Red Sox. Then, they added Soto and Grisham to reinforce their outfield presence. In fact, Lee Jung-hoo's trip to the Yankees failed. On the other hand, the possibility of going to San Diego surfaced. As both main left fielder Soto and center fielder Grisham went to the Yankees, two outfield seats were vacant. Now it is San Diego's turn to strengthen its outfield. The San Diego Padres are also Kim Ha-sung's team. Kim Ha-sung rose to the top infielders in the Major League this season by taking over the utility Gold Glove. He also had a batting average of 0.260 with 17 home runs and an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of 0.748. He differed from his sluggish performance in the 2021 season with a batting average of 0.202, eight home runs and an OPS of 0.622, which was his first year since joining the big league. He showed competitive edge as a mid- to long-range batter, adapting himself to fastballs. For San Diego, which has experienced Kim Ha-sung's growth, it is a team that can minimize Lee Jung-hoo's "lower league risk." Lee Jung-hoo may struggle with unfamiliar and better big league pitchers right now, but it is San Diego that can judge that it can overcome this given Kim Ha-sung's case. San Diego is also an attractive option for Lee Jung-hoo. This is because Korean leaguer Kim Ha-sung is holding out. Kim Ha-sung has grown into a top infielder in the Major League, so he has a solid position on the team. In addition, Kim Ha-sung and Lee Jung-hoo have already been together with Kiwoom Heroes. They also showed their friendship by watching Game 5 of the 2023 Korean Series together. As Lee Jung-hoo, if you go to San Diego, you can challenge the big league with the best helpers. If Lee Jung-hoo is to wear the San Diego Padres, it would be a disadvantage, too. Petco Park, the home stadium of San Diego, is a representative pitcher-friendly stadium. From the 2021 season to the 2023 season, the right-handed hitter Park Factor ranked 27th overall (96th) and the left-handed hitter Park Factor ranked 28th (95). The stadium was hard to hit not only homers but also hits, doubles and triples. In particular, the left-handed hitter Park Factor was ranked 29th. It is a home stadium that cannot fully utilize Lee Jung-hoo, who ranked first in triplets twice in the KBO League. Lee Jung-hoo challenged to the Major League through posting. Initially, San Francisco Giants, New York Mets, and Yankees were considered the most promising destinations. San Diego has emerged as another candidate instead of the Yankees due to the massive trade. For Lee Jung-hoo, going to San Diego is a double-edged sword. It is an attractive option in terms of adaptation as Kim Ha-sung's team, but in terms of the park factor, there is no advantage. If San Diego actually sends a love call to Lee Jung-hoo, attention is being paid to what Lee Jung-hoo will conclude about his trip to San Diego, which has clear strengths and weaknesses.