'No reliable center fielder in Moon Hyun-bin → possible acquisition of Choi Ji-hoon or Kim Ho-ryeong' Noh Si-hwan's U.S. move scenario... Will Hanwha become a 'big spender' on the FA market again?

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

Noh Si-hwan (26, Hanwha Eagles), who signed a massive 11-year contract worth 30.7 billion won, has declared his intention to move to the United States, sparking early interest in how the Hanwha Eagles will proceed during the offseason.

Noh Si-hwan is seeking entry into the U.S. through the posting system. Meanwhile, the list of players eligible for FA status is expected to be publicly disclosed on the 13th.

If Noh Si-hwan advances to Major League Baseball (MLB), the large contract starting next year will be voided, resulting in savings of approximately 2.8 billion won per year. While filling Noh Si-hwan's vacancy is virtually impossible, for Hanwha, which had little room under the competitive balance system (salary cap), this could serve as a good opportunity to reinforce its center field position, which had been a source of regret.

This season, there was no definitive owner of the center field position for Hanwha. Rookie Oh Jae-won struggled with adaptation, and subsequently Lee Won-seok, Choi In-ho, and others shared opportunities but failed to establish themselves as reliable starters.

National team outfielder Moon Hyun-bin also shifted to center field. However, he showed unstable defense in an unfamiliar position and eventually returned to left field. Former manager Kim Kyung-moon stated, "It seems best for Moon Hyun-bin not to switch defensive positions back and forth," after Moon's defensive instability, but as no suitable alternative emerged, he deployed Moon at center field again, indicating that the center field position was a major concern for Hanwha.

Additionally, fast center fielders from other teams who could fulfill the role of a leadoff hitter with good contact ability and speed were out of reach for Hanwha, which had been seeking such a player.

However, Noh Si-hwan's posting application could serve as another turning point. His departure is painfully significant, and finding a replacement is impossible. Nevertheless, his overseas move can also be seen as a path to save substantial salary costs while providing funds for player acquisitions.

There are quite a few center fielders expected to enter the FA market in this offseason. In addition to Choi Ji-hoon (29, SSG Landers) and Kim Ho-ryeong (34, KIA Tigers), Jung Su-bin (36, Doosan Bears) is also expected to gain FA eligibility.

All of these players possess outstanding defensive and base-running abilities. Their batting profiles are similar in broad terms. As they are all valuable assets, their current teams are likely to try to retain them, but if Hanwha steps up as a 'big spender,' the situation could change significantly.

If Noh Si-hwan enters MLB through posting, Hanwha will also receive a transfer fee. If he signs a contract worth less than $25 million (approximately 33.3 billion won), Hanwha will receive 20% of the signing bonus. Realistically, in the case of a $25 million contract, this would amount to approximately 6.6 billion won. This is money that could be a significant asset in the offseason.

Hanwha may also spend money to fill the third base vacancy left by Noh Si-hwan. This season, Park Jung-hyun (25) primarily served as Noh's backup. In 79 games, he hit 11 home runs and recorded a batting average of .230 with a slugging percentage of .504, showing potential with an OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .804.

However, if Hanwha determines that Park Jung-hyun is insufficient, it may turn its attention to players such as Jeon Byung-woo (34, Samsung Lions) and Park Seung-wook (34, Lotte Giants). Given the players' ages, Hanwha might reach out if the price tag is reasonable.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original