Samsung Lions infielder Lee Won-seok (37) and Kiwoom Heroes right-hander Kim Tae-hoon (31) will change their uniforms. This is the first trade made during this season.
On the 27th, Samsung made a trade for Kim Tae-hoon instead of giving Lee Won-seok and the 2024 rookie draft 3rd round nomination right to grow. It is a transaction in which the interests of Samsung, which has a weak bullpen, and Kiwoom, who need to fill the long hitting power, are aligned.
●Samsung, who sent the ‘No. 1 on-base percentage’ hard hitter, why?
The key is the transfer of Lee Won-seok. Lee Won-seok, who made his professional debut after being nominated by the Lotte Giants in the 9th overall in the 2nd round of the 2005 rookie draft, played for the Doosan Bears from 2009 to 2016, and then signed a free agent (FA) contract ahead of the 2017 season to wear a Samsung uniform. After moving to Samsung, he recorded a batting average of 0.266, 90 home runs, 434 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of 0.347 in 719 games. He played an active role as a central hitter this season, raising a batting average of 0.362 (21 hits in 58 at-bats), 1 home run, 10 RBIs, and an on-base percentage of 0.486 in 19 games until the 26th.
As of the 26th, the transfer of Lee Won-seok, who ranked 4th in the league in batting and 1st in on-base percentage, was bound to arouse curiosity from fans. This is all the more true considering Samsung’s current backup third baseman situation. However, it was more urgent to reinforce the bullpen, which ranked 8th in ERA (4.93) during the same period먹튀검증. Immediately, Lee Won-seok’s void is filled with young players such as Kim Young-woong and Gong Min-gyu. Kim Young-woong is a resource with excellent defense and Gong Min-gyu is a promising player that Samsung needs to nurture. When Kang Han-wool, who is recovering from an injury, returns, he is expected to operate a hot corner centered on him.
●Lee Won-seok is a card that is perfect for Kiwoom
Kiwoom had a lot of worries because the other line did not explode at the beginning of this season. In particular, the position was disappointing because the starting third baseman, Song Seong-moon, left due to a long-term injury. Lee Won-seok can take responsibility for both 1st and 3rd base, and can boost Kiwoom’s slugging power improvement, which is only 8th in team slugging percentage (0.348). It is attractive that he can even play the role of a guide for young players because he has a wealth of experience. Because of this, Samsung also pondered over and over until choosing Lee Won-seok as a trade card.
A key official from the Samsung club explained, “Thanks to Lee Won-seok’s good performance at the beginning of this year, he was able to bring in a bullpen pitcher.” “In the infield, young players must come up through fierce internal competition.” Ko Hyeong-wook, general manager of Kiwoom, also said, “Lee Won-seok will be of great help to the team by centering on offense and defense. He will spare no support so that he can adapt quickly.”
●Samsung, Kim Tae-hoon How to use it?
From 2014, when he debuted in the first team, to this year, Kim Tae-hoon appeared in 263 games for Kiwoom, recording 26 wins, 10 losses, 22 saves, 42 holds, and an ERA of 4.59. For three consecutive years (season 2020-2022), he raised double-digit holds and ERA in the 3-point range, and was in charge of one axis of the bullpen, and in the 2021 season, he made 11 saves as a finisher. He boasts an average fastball speed of 146.2km this season, recording 1 win, 3 holds, and ERA of 5.87 in 8 games.
He also has a high level of perfection with breaking balls such as forkballs and sliders. A Samsung official said, “Kim Tae-hoon has a lot of experience compared to his age, and he is a player who has thrown all 7 to 9 innings.” We have the conditions to add strength to our bullpen. He can now expect the synergy of the bullpen.”