“MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR),” which specializes in transfer news within the Major League, put Choi Ji-man’s name on the 5 left-handed candidates who will sign a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals in the 2024 season on the 9th (Korea time). Along with Choi Ji-man, many players who once made their names on the Major League stage, including Mike Ford, Austin Meadows, Daniel Vogelback and Jared Walsh, were included in the list.
MLBTR said, “These players have been sitting in left-handed seats in their respective careers, showing better-than-average offense. However, none of them were able to qualify as free agents due to favorable conditions,” adding, “Choi suffered from injury in the 2023 season. He only played 39 games without much productivity. The other four were either released as non-tenders or became free agents with no strings attached.”
Choi Ji-man, who graduated from Dongsan High School in Incheon, challenged the U.S. stage by signing with the Seattle Mariners in 2010 and ate bread wet with tears for more than five years in the minor league. Choi Ji-man finally made his major league debut in 2016 with the Los Angeles Angels after playing for the Baltimore Orioles and played 54 games. Since then, he has grown into a full-time first baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays through the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers, and has even been honored as the first Korean fielder to enter the World Series. 토토사이트 추천
Choi’s career took a sharp turn when he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2023 season. The problem was his injury. He underwent surgery to remove bone fragments from his elbow in late 2022 but was traded to the San Diego Padres after being out of the lineup due to left Achilles tendon injury in mid-April. After that, he suffered injury to his left rib and right foot in succession, and failed to show off his skills. He had an “unproductive” year, batting average of 39 games, six homers and 13 RBIs in a preliminary FA season.
Choi is currently looking for a bird’s nest as a free agent, but the situation is not easy. Although Choi’s abundant experience in 525 Major League games is considered his strength, he showed great weakness in durability last year and has failed to attract the attention of big league clubs, as he recorded the lowest record except for his debut season. Surprisingly, his name on the minor league contract list was not mentioned by the local media.
MLBTR said, “None of the five players will be the top priority for Washington. However, if Washington seeks to secure backup left-handed hitters through minor league contracts or major league contracts at affordable prices, it could be a target that can recruit five players.”