MLB Dotcom, the official website of Major League Baseball, said on the 28th that Pittsburgh made a one-on-one trade to send first baseman Carlos Santana to the Milwaukee Brewers and receive minor league infielder Zani Severino.
Switch-hitter Santana took turns with left-handed hitter Choi Ji-man at first base in Pittsburgh this season. 스포츠토토 Prior to the trade, his performance was not outstanding with a batting average of 0.235 and 12 home runs in 94 games.
In the case of Choi Ji-man, Santana’s transfer is expected to significantly increase the proportion of starting players. Choi Ji-man was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to Pittsburgh after the end of last season, but he was away for a long time in April this year after being on the operating table due to an injury to his left Achilles tendon.
After returning from injury on the 8th, he has shot four home runs in 11 games (8 starts), showing a good sense of hitting. He took the opportunity to solidify his position as the first baseman of Pittsburgh for the rest of the season.
Pittsburgh is ranked fifth in the National League Central with 45 wins and 57 losses this season. It is expected to focus on next season and start reorganizing the team as it has virtually failed to advance to the postseason.
However, it is currently unclear whether Choi Ji-man will continue to wear the Pittsburgh uniform next year. Choi Ji-man, who made his big league debut in 2016, will acquire his first FA (free contract) qualification at the end of this season.
Choi Ji-man’s season performance is not outstanding with a batting average of 0.188 (12 hits in 64 at-bats), six home runs, 10 RBIs, and OPS of 0.709, but he is a left-handed first baseman with long-hitting power, which is not bad in the market.
For this reason, MLB Dotcom did not rule out the possibility of Choi Ji-man’s FA transfer, saying, “With Santana’s trade, Choi Ji-man and Connor Joe will receive most of their time at first base in Pittsburgh,” but added, “Choi Ji-man may not play in Pittsburgh for a long time.”