Reporter Kim Hee-joon = After the 2022 season, the Pittsburgh Pirates, who acquired Korean major leaguer Choi Ji-man through a trade, received a ‘C-‘ in ESPN’s Stove League evaluation.
ESPN released the Stove League scorecards of 30 Major League Baseball (MLB) teams on the 15th (Korean time).
Pittsburgh sent out infielder Kevin Newman and pitcher Jack Thompson this winter, and recruited outfielder Andrew McCutcheon, pitcher Rich Hill, and infielders Carlos Santana and Choi Ji-man.
Pittsburgh gave up Sam Hartman, a right-handed pitcher who played in the minor leagues, while receiving Choi Ji-man from the Tampa Bay Rays.
Pittsburgh, which recruited Choi Ji-man to use as the starting first baseman, also opposed Choi Ji-man’s joining the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC) national team, who underwent an elbow bone fragment removal surgery last November.
Another reinforcement is the return of McCutcheon, who was active as a franchise star. McCutcheon, who debuted in the big leagues in 2009 and played an active role as Pittsburgh’s signature hitter before being traded to the San Francisco Giants in 2018, became a free agent (FA) after the 2022 season and signed a contract with Pittsburgh for 5 million dollars a year, 5 years after his home team returned to
However, ESPN did not give high praise to Pittsburgh’s reinforcements.
The media said, “Pittsburgh suffered more than 100 losses for two consecutive years (61-101 in 2021, 62-100 in 2022). In this case, it was a pace that would lead to 111 defeats.”
“The only reinforcements for the young players are shortstop O’Neill Cruz and pitcher Roancie Contreras. It’s unlikely that most of Pittsburgh’s top prospects will be able to make an impact in the 2023 season,” he said.
ESPN pointed out, “Pittsburgh needs to stop recording more than 100 losses. This seems to be Pittsburgh’s goal now. Is it a goal worth respecting?”
Ha-sung Kim’s team, the San Diego Padres, received a relatively high rating of B+.
San Diego signed an 11-year, $280 million contract with Zander Bogarts, who was one of the “big four” shortstops in the free agent market this winter. In addition, he signed a six-year, $108 million contract extension with Yu Darvish, a key member of the starting lineup.
ESPN said, “Considering that Bogatz is 31 years old, the ransom is rather high. In San Diego, there are two shortstops, Kim Ha-sung and Fernando Tatis Jr., so Bogatz is not necessary.” If Ha-seong Kim moves to second base, Jake Cronenworth to first base, and Tatis Jr. to right field, it looks good defensively.” 먹튀검증
The Toronto Blue Jays, where Ryu Hyun-jin is playing, recorded a C. Toronto left Teoscar Hernandez, Ross Stripling, and Lourdes Gurriel Jr., and brought in Chris Bassitt, Kevin Kiermeyer, and Brandon Belt.
‘Billionaire’
The Mets traded ace Jacob deGrom to the Texas Rangers, but they refreshed their starting lineup with Justin Verlander (2 years, $86 million), Senga Godai (5 years, $75 million), and Jose Quintana (2 years, $26 million). built
The internal FA also cracked down well. Last year, Edwin Diaz, who played an active role as the best closer, signed a contract for five years and $102 million, and setup man Adam Ottavino for two years and $14.5 million. He also invested 162 million dollars over eight years to capture outfielder Brandon Nemo.