'5.5 million won per batter' bonus is a big hit! Kim Ha-sung "Can return at the end of April" → Tampa Bay catches both rabbits

'5.5 million won per batter' bonus is a big hit! Kim Ha-sung "Can return at the end of April" → Tampa Bay catches both rabbits

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Up to 31 million U.S. dollars (45 billion won) for the next two years. It was not the "free agent bonanza" Kim Ha-seong (30, Tampa Bay Rays) wanted, but it was the best result for him.스포츠토토

Mark Topkin, a Tampa Bay reporter for the Tampa Bay Times, revealed details of Kim Ha-sung's incentives on his X (formerly Twitter) account on the 4th (Korea Standard Time).

Various local media reported on Kim Ha-sung's news on Tampa Bay on April 30 and disclosed that the contract amount was 29 million U.S. dollars for two years. However, the contract terms and conditions disclosed by Tampa Bay ahead of the joining press conference on April 4 were 31 million dollars, an increase of 2 million dollars.

Before the injury in August last year, a ransom of 100 million dollars (about 145.3 billion won) was expected, but the value began to plunge as it was on the operating table. As a large-scale long-term contract was becoming difficult in reality, it was okay to say that it was unconventional that Tampa Bay and the small market promised Kim Ha-sung the highest salary for the team.

It even includes an opt-out clause that could come back to the market a year later. The contract is all the more surprising because Tampa Bay may have to pay 13 million U.S. dollars in annual salary to a player who cannot join the team from the opening of the season due to rehabilitation after surgery and watch him move to another team.

Kim Ha-sung will receive 13 million U.S. dollars in the first year of his contract. He has the right to choose the FA after one year, but if he chooses to stay, he will receive 16 million dollars in the second year. So far, the contract has been announced.

However, Tampa Bay added another 2 million dollars to its announcement on the day. Details could be found through Topkin. "In addition to his 13 million dollars salary in Tampa Bay in 2025, Kim Ha-sung receives incentives based on the number of plate appearances," Topkin said.

The first basic condition for Kim Ha-sung's option is 325 at-bats. In this case, he will receive 200,000 U.S. dollars, and 200,000 dollars will be accumulated for every 20 at-bats for 425 more. After that, an additional 200,000 dollars will be added for every 25 at-bats. Finally, if he fills 525 at-bats, he will secure all 2 million dollars in incentives. Based on the case of filling all 525 at-bats, he will receive 3,809 dollars every time he enters the batter's box, and 5.5 million won in Korean won.

The fact that the incentive standard is set by the number of at-bats, not the performance, means that Tampa Bay also sees the most important thing as Kim Ha-sung's physical condition. It can also be interpreted as a clause that contains a firm belief that Kim Ha-sung can play the role they expect as long as he is healthy.

I was able to see how great the expectation and belief in Kim Ha-sung were. "We were interested in Kim Ha-sung from the beginning," Tampa Bay President Eric Nieder, who participated in the video interview with reporters on the day, said, "We gained confidence during the months-long rehabilitation process and couldn't be happier. Anyone who has seen Kim Ha-sung playing for San Diego over the past few years will know that he has contributed to the team's victory in various ways we like." He also gained confidence through constant interest in his performance after rehabilitation.

"He enjoyed immense popularity in San Diego due to his incredible talent. He is also very interesting and fun to watch. He is not ready for the opening game yet. I hope it will not take too long before he joins the team," he said, expressing anticipation for his early return.

The expectations of the club are sky high as it has given the team the highest annual salary. "We would like to thank the owner of Stustonburg who supported Ha-sung in recruiting him. No one in our club would have been more excited about recruiting Kim Ha-sung than Sternberg," Nieder said, also introducing the owner's special affection for Kim Ha-sung.

After all, the most important variable is the timing of his return. Direct hints can be obtained through Kim Ha-sung. "I heard the surgery went really well. His rehabilitation is going smoothly. Now he has started throwing and hitting balls," he said. "I am working hard to come back as soon as possible. I think I will be able to come back in late April or early May."

Starting with the opening series against the Colorado Rockies on March 29, Tampa Bay will play three games in March and 26 games in April. According to Kim Ha-sung, he will not be able to play in the first 30 games.

The Major League calculates the standard number of at-bats by multiplying 162 games by 3.1. The standard number of at-bats is 502. Kim played 298 at-bats in 2021 when he played as a substitute, but played 582 at-bats and 626 at-bats in 2022 and 2023, respectively, when he played as a starting player without injury. Last season, he played in 121 games due to injury and entered 470 at-bats.

For three years from the 2022 season, when he began playing as a main player, Kim Ha-sung entered 3.97 at-bats per game. Assuming that Kim Ha-sung plays 130 games without leaving, he will fill 515 at-bats. In other words, he can fill the regular at-bats and receive most of the incentives. There is also a good chance that he will be guaranteed the full amount of incentives.

The reason why Kim Ha-sung's ransom fell locally was because of his health. No one expressed doubts about his ability. It is also the reason why Kim Ha-sung was on the list of many teams.

If Kim Ha-sung can return to the team at the end of April or early May as he is confident, he will be able to declare the FA again after the end of the season as well as incentives. If he shows that he is healthy even after surgery, he will be able to hit enough jackpots of more than $100 million as he was evaluated before the injury.

Now that the contract has been completed, the task at hand is successful rehabilitation. Another advantage for Kim Ha-sung is that he does not have to rush back because his second-year salary is bigger.