Not the Yankees, but Hanwha's Noh Si-hwan: U.S. media says "He should replace Jazz Chisholm Jr.; a valuable gamble"

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

The clock on the Major League Baseball (MLB) move for Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), a power hitter representing the KBO League, has officially started ticking. Noh, who has played only for Hanwha, may soon be seen wearing the uniform of the traditional powerhouse New York Yankees—a scenario that previously existed only in imagination.

U.S. sports outlet Bleacher Report published an article on the 3rd (Korean time) titled "Noh Si-hwan's MLB posting: The Korean star's likely destinations in the free agency market."

The outlet reported on Noh's posting, stating, "Assuming Major League teams believe Noh's defensive skills are good enough to settle at third base, any team needing a third-base upgrade or willing to utilize him as a designated hitter is highly likely to show interest."

It added, "This is especially true in this winter's transfer market, where there is a notable shortage of third-base options. With fierce competition expected over Japanese star Teruaki Sato, Noh could serve as a reasonable alternative for teams that fall short in the bidding war."

Earlier, MLB.com, the official MLB website, assessed that "As Noh becomes officially eligible to transfer through the posting system, MLB scouts have highly rated his power, calling him a 'big power bat' who can succeed at the Major League level." The site identified the New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Angels as well-suited teams for him.

Bleacher Report explained why these four teams need Noh. Among them, the most attention-grabbing is the Yankees, known as the "Evil Empire."

The outlet stated, "The Yankees need a comprehensive overhaul of their offense and must replace Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Trent Grisham, both of whom are highly likely to leave the team." It continued, "Given that they are already shouldering a massive total payroll, Noh could ultimately become a valuable gamble worth trying at a lower price tag than Sato."

St. Louis and Seattle are teams that need more reinforcement at third base. The outlet explained, "The Cardinals have an urgent need for third-base reinforcement, which logically makes them a prime destination for a player like Noh. Additionally, while this Korean star showed growth in 2026, he also fits well with the timeline of the Cardinals, who are still in the midst of a rebuilding process."

It added, "The Mariners need reinforcement at third base and in power. However, if the team is not confident in Noh's defensive ability at the hot corner (third base), his appeal from Seattle's perspective will inevitably diminish." This indicates that questions still remain regarding his defense at third base.

For the Angels, signing him could be an acquisition that instills new hope. "The Angels need a bit of hope. There must be something for fans to look forward to ahead of the ownership era under Stan Krokmalik, which is expected to begin sometime in 2027," the article noted. It suggested the possibility of Noh's signing by adding, "While Noh may not create as much of a stir as Sato, it could serve as a starting point."

The Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) requested the secretariat on the 31st to post Noh to the 30th MLB teams, following a request from the Hanwha club. Consequently, a heated negotiation period of 30 days can be conducted until 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on December 1.

Ahead of this season, Noh signed a non-FA multi-year contract with Hanwha worth 30.7 billion won over 11 years. If he moves to MLB, this contract will be voided. Conversely, the contract also serves as a safety net for Noh. If Major League offers fall short of expectations, there is a possibility he may choose not to take the risk.

However, the question mark regarding his defensive ability is an area that could potentially be resolved the more Noh is evaluated. Noh boasts top-tier third-base defense even in the KBO League. His quick reaction time and strong throwing arm raise expectations that he can succeed in MLB, where ball speed is faster. If doubts about his defensive skills are dispelled, Noh's value could rise further. While his power hitting may inevitably decrease, the ability to utilize him affordably while maintaining third-base defense could be a clear advantage.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original