Kim Ha-seong (31), who has obtained free agent (FA) status, did not receive a qualifying offer (QO) from his former club, the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB).

MLB.com reported on the 3rd (Korean time) that eight players received QOs.

The players who received QOs are Seiya Suzuki (Chicago Cubs), Randy Arozarena (Seattle Mariners), Brandon Lowe (Pittsburgh Pirates), Trevor Rogers (Baltimore Orioles), Jake Bauers (Milwaukee Brewers), Adrian Morejon (San Diego Padres), Ryan Jeffers (Minnesota Twins), and David Bednar (New York Yankees).

They must decide whether to accept the offer by 6:00 AM on the 18th, Korean time.

A QO is a one-year contract offered by a former team to an FA, with the salary set at the average of the top 125 highest-paid MLB players, which this year amounts to $23.15 million.

If a player accepts this, they receive the salary and play for their former team next season.

If they reject it and sign with another club, the former team receives a compensatory draft pick, while the signing club faces burdens such as the loss of a draft pick.

Kim Ha-seong renewed his contract with Atlanta in December of last year for one year and $20 million, but due to injuries this year, he played in 51 games with a batting average of 0.116 (15 hits in 129 at-bats), 9 RBIs, and 11 runs scored.

Clubs signing Kim Ha-seong, who did not receive a QO, will not bear the burden of losing a draft pick.

This point could work to Kim Ha-seong's advantage in FA negotiations.

Re-signing with his former team Atlanta is also a possibility.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)