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Newly hired NY Mets coach has a valuable connection to KBO star heading to MLB free agency

Can this hire help the Mets land a foreign star?
ByTim Boyle
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Feb 14, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; a general view of a baseball bat and glove on the field during New York Mets spring training workouts at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 14, 2017; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; a general view of a baseball bat and glove on the field during New York Mets spring training workouts at Tradition Field. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

MLB Network’s Jon Morosi took note of recently posted KBO star Si-hwan Roh and his connection to newly hired New York Mets coach Johnny Washington. The Mets just hired Washington away from the Atlanta Braves, but back in 2021, Washington helped coach Roh over in Korea.

Done deal? Not exactly. These kinds of connections always draw intrigue. As Daniel Wexler, a must follow on social media, quickly pointed out, the match isn’t perfect.

Not only does Roh play an already occupied position, his hitting style isn’t exactly out of the David Stearns playbook. He strikes out often and doesn’t walk enough. For a year, maybe the Mets can make him work at first base. After all, he does hit right-handed.

Si-hwan Roh could be an unexpected Mets free agent signing

The Mets won’t sign Roh because they hired Washington. Roh might be a little more enticed to do so, however. The impact Washington had with Roh back in 2021 came in only his third professional season. Only 20 at the time, this at least shows Washington is able to cross over cultural bounds and help out young kids.

KBO stats tend to be inflated for hitters. Slashing .283/.360/.505 last season in Korea, we can expect a dip. Different leagues yet not unfair to compare, Munetaka Murakami went from being a .273 hitter in foreign leagues to a .207 hitter in his first major league season. The power remained. The strikeouts increased. We should fully expect Roh to experience some of those same faults.

The Mets don’t have any sure answer at third base after 2027 with Bo Bichette having an opt-out in his contract yet again. Jefferson Rojas is exciting, but also as much a candidate for second base. A short-term deal with Roh, which is very possible, is definitely one way to bring him to Major League Baseball.

MLB.com named Roh as a fit for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, and Los Angeles Angels. All teams who could use a third base boost, we need to also consider the possibility of Bichette sliding over to second base if the hot corner is a must for Roh. Marcus Semien and Brett Baty don’t need to start. Semien could even be a candidate to move to first base at times based on the way he played second base in 2026.

We should expect the Mets to turn over every rock. Roh has entered the chat even if he’s different from what the team did last season.

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