The market closure is approaching. Much has been said in the last month about the possible signings of the Japanese players Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto by the Dodgers. However, besides the fact that they are expensive for the payroll contemplated in transfers, the franchise wants to strengthen its squad with a South Korean to continue the trend with Kim Hyeseong.
The Los Angeles team is eager to find a replacement for Miguel Rojas. The ideal candidate plays for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korea Baseball Organization. He is Song Sung-mun, a player who dominates all three bases, mainly third base, which is his power zone.
Apart from his playing conditions, Sung-mun is of interest for two reasons. First, because he is a baseball player whose value is $12.5 million, which is 10 times less than Murakami. According to ESPN, the organization’s payroll is $58 million under budget for the 2025 season. Secondly, because Kim Hyeseong acts as an unofficial scout to convince his compatriot to accept the contract and go to MLB.
Another powerful reason to look at him is his batting. Sung-mun is currently in his 10th season with the Kiwoom Heroes. He had a huge impact last season, hitting .340 with 19 home runs, 104 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a .927 OPS. This season, in 144 games, he posted a .315 batting average (181 hits in 574 at-bats) with 26 home runs, 90 RBIs, 25 stolen bases and 103 runs scored, achieving a .917 OPS.
The 29-year-old South Korean has become the unexpected ace up the sleeve for Los Angeles this offseason. They will look to negotiate and convince him through Hyeseong. Given the conditions, he would be a luxury reinforcement for his multifunctional qualities to defend and offensively with the bat.
What’s going on with Miguel Rojas?
The Venezuelan is still a free agent, but has expressed interest in playing the last season of his career in Los Angeles. Last season he had 76 hits, seven home runs and 27 RBIs, and scored 35 runs in 290 at-bats.
In the playoffs, Rojas had five hits, scored three runs, hit a home run and drove in two runs in 18 at-bats. He hit a game-tying home run in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the World Series. He also starred in a key defensive play at second base, throwing out the potential winning run for the Blue Jays at the plate.
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