The Atlanta Braves, one of the teams that were among the trade candidates for San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong (28), decided to use a shortstop. As teams in need of a shortstop utilize internal resources or seek other alternatives, trade demand for Kim Ha-seong is expected to decrease. At this rate, staying in San Diego is likely.
Atlanta, which lost key shortstop Dansby Swanson to the Chicago Cubs in the free agent market this winter, decided to give second-year prospect Vaughn Grissom (22) a chance. He forms a collaboration system with another infielder, Orlando Arcia.
Atlanta coach Brian Snicker said in an interview with local media such as ‘MLB.com’ on the 22nd (Korean time), “We have two good shortstop options, Grissom and Arcia. It will make a good combination in forming a team.”
Grissom, a 190cm tall infielder, showed his potential with a batting average of 2.991, 41 hits, 5 home runs, 18 RBIs, and an OPS of .792 in 41 games after being promoted to the Major League last August. He played 40 games (39 starts) 스포츠토토 as a second baseman and 2 games (1 start) as a shortstop. With the return of starting second baseman Azi Albis from a left foot injury, Grissom moved to shortstop and formed a keystone duo with him.
Grissom has trained privately in New Orleans twice this offseason with coach Ron Washington. He has one more training schedule left before joining spring training in the middle of next month. Head coach Snicker said, “Taking time to train with Coach Washington in the winter will be of great help to Vaughn,” and expected his defense to improve.
Along with Atlanta, the Boston Red Sox, which was considered a trade destination for Kim Ha-sung, also fills the shortstop void with internal resources. Boston, where Xander Bogarts transferred to San Diego as a free agent, prepares ‘super utility’ Kike Hernandez, who has been active as center fielder for the past two years, as shortstop for the new season. After recruiting Adam Duvall as an outfielder in the free agency market, he pulled Hernandez to the infield.
The Los Angeles Dodgers, another team that lost their starting shortstop, found a breakthrough with a trade. After Trey Turner transferred to the Philadelphia Phillies as a free agent, the possibility of switching second baseman Gavin Lux to shortstop was raised, but through a trade on the 12th, Miami Marlins shortstop Miguel Rojas was brought in. Rojas’ defense was also proven enough to be a finalist for the National League Gold Glove along with Kim Ha-seong and Swanson last year.
Miami also sent starting pitcher Pablo Lopez, who was considered Kim Ha-sung’s trade partner, to the Minnesota Twins on the 21st. After receiving infielder Luis Araez, he announced plans to use it as a second baseman. Positional traffic was organized as existing All-Star second baseman Jazz Chisom Jr. moved to center field. The shortstop will be Joey Wendeul, who has experience as a starter during the Tampa Bay Rays. As much as Lopez, who was interested in San Diego, went to Minnesota, the possibility of Kim Ha-sung going to Miami disappeared.