The Pittsburgh Pirates traded first baseman Carlos Santana, and Choi Ji-man is expected to gain more opportunities for the rest of the season. However, there is a prospect that Choi Ji-man, who will become a free agent this season, is also emerging as a trade target.바카라
Pittsburgh traded Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers on the 28th (Korean time) for 18-year-old shortstop Johnny Severino.
With this trade, Milwaukee secured a first baseman to replace Loudy Telles, who is recovering from an injury, and Pittsburgh, which is rebuilding, got a promising shortstop. Severino joined last year with a sign bonus of $1.23 million and is active in the Arizona Complex League.
Milwaukee, which leads the Central Division in the National League (NL) with 57 wins and 46 losses, needed to strengthen its offense to secure its district title. They are ahead of the Cincinnati Reds, who are second in the division, by 1.5 games. They are competing for the lead in the fierce battle.
Milwaukee ranks 27th in team batting average (0.232), 26th in team OPS (0.687), 22nd in team home runs (107), and 26th in average run average (4.11) among 30 teams, and has the lowest offense. It is not an exaggeration to say that the race has been led so far by the power of the mound, which ranks third in the NL with a team ERA of 3.89.
Santana, a switch hitter, signed a free agent contract last winter for $6.75 million and wore a Pittsburgh uniform.
This season, he participated in 94 games as Pittsburgh’s first baseman and designated hitter, and has a batting average of 0.235 (81 hits in 345 at-bats), 12 home runs, 53 RBIs, 45 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.733. Although he is past his prime, he is expected to be able to add strength to the Milwaukee center batting line because he has long-running power.
Santana, who was notified of the news of the trade, said, “I was a little surprised. Usually, I don’t trade with teams in the same district, but I understand this because it’s a business.” They are fighting to advance to the playoffs. I like that.”
MLB.com said, ‘As Pittsburgh trades Santana, there is a possibility that other veteran players who have signed one-year contracts such as Rich Hill, Ji-man Choi, Austin Hedges, and Andrew McCutchen are also sent out. However, McCutchen said last month, amid rumors of a trade, that he would like to spend the rest of his career in Pittsburgh.
Choi Ji-man hits a solo home run in the top of the second inning against the San Diego Padres on the 27th (Korean time). AFP Yonhap News
Choi Ji-man could also be considered for trade. Choi Ji-man, who returned from an Achilles tendon injury, is showing an upgraded batting with a healthy body in the second half, so it seems that other teams are actually asking.
MLB.com said, ‘With Santana’s transfer, Pittsburgh will appoint Choi Ji-man and Connor Joe as first basemen. Third baseman Jarrett Triolo and catcher Andy Rodriguez can also see first base. However, Choi Ji-man said, “Choi may not be a Pirate for too much long either.”
After returning from injury, Choi Ji-man has a batting average of 0.250 (8 hits in 32 at-bats), 4 homers, 8 RBIs, 5 runs, OPS 0.942, and wRC+ 140 in 11 games. His season performance was a .188 batting average (12-for-64), 6 home runs, 10 RBIs, 8 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.709.
Choi Ji-man, who receives an annual salary of $4.65 million this year, will become a free agent after this season.