Tommy Edman (29), a Korean-based switch-hitter of the Los Angeles Dodgers, has started discussions on an extension contract. Edman, who struggled due to salary adjustments before the season, has become a great move to trade with the Dodgers in many ways. 안전놀이터

"MLB Network" reporter John Morosi said on the 24th (Korea Standard Time) that the Dodgers had preliminary talks with Edman about an extension contract, adding, "Edman, the NLCS MVP in 2024, is a perfect fit for the Dodgers. He is a versatile defender, a switch-hitter, and went to high school and college in California." The Dodgers expressed their intention to hold Edman, who will become an FA after next season, on an extension contract in advance. 

In January, Edman signed a contract with his former team, the St. Louis Cardinals, for $16.5 million with a two-year guarantee without a salary adjustment. He signed on the condition that his salary be $7 million in 2024 and $9.5 million next year. Edman agonized a lot in the process. Edman, who is now in his second year of eligibility for a salary adjustment, requested $6.95 million, but the club offered $6.5 million. He almost went to a salary adjustment hearing by a $450,000 difference. "From my point of view, I'm trying to get paid for what I'm worth. I know what happens at the hearing. You'll hear things you don't want to hear," Edman said. 

Edman reached an agreement without going to a hearing, but was almost hurt by his salary, but was traded to the Dodgers after rehabilitation. Through a triangular trade that included the Chicago White Sox in late July, Edman left St. Louis and moved to the Dodgers since his debut. Andrew Friedman, the Dodgers' president of baseball operations who has been keeping an eye on Edman for a long time, finally embraced him. 

Edman returned to the Dodgers from late August after rehabilitation and posted a batting average of 237 (three hits in 139 times at bat), six homers, 20 RBIs, and six steals in 37 games with an OPS of .711. He moved between center and shortstop, transcending positions required by his team. Notably, he contributed to the Dodgers' victory in the World Series by batting average of 328 (three hits in 61 times at bat), two homers, 13 RBIs, and five steals in 16 games with an OPS of .862. He swept 11 RBIs and became the MVP of the National League Championship Series. 

Edman, who was born as the second child of two sons and one daughter to his mother Kwak Kyung-ah, an immigrant from Korea, and John Edman, an American father, lives in LA. As his family has rooted in LA for a long time and supported the Dodgers, Edman is likely to want to stay on the team for a long time. 

Edman, who became the first Korean national team member to play at the World Baseball Classic in March last year, became the fourth Korean player to participate in both international competitions and World Series after Park Chan-ho, Kim Byung-hyun and Ryu Hyun-jin. He is the second player to wear the championship ring after Kim. 

"Many Korean players played for the Dodgers," Edman told MLB.com on Saturday. Ryu Hyun-jin also made a huge success here. "I know that the Dodgers has a huge fan base in Korea. It's really fun to meet more Korean fans and experience diverse things in LA. I can see how much Koreans love Dodgers," Edman said, expressing his affection for Dodgers. 

The most important thing is the terms and conditions of the contract. Edman's contract reference point will likely be based on another utility fielder within the Dodgers team, Chris Taylor. Taylor signed an FA contract with the Dodgers in December 2021 for a four-year guarantee of $60 million. He has been sluggish in 322 games with a batting average of 222 (212 hits in 953 at-bats) with 29 homers and 122 RBIs for an OPS of .684. 

"MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR)" said, "Edman's versatile profile is no different from Taylor's. Since Taylor's performance after signing the FA contract was not good, the Dodgers may find it uncomfortable to sign Edman to the same level of contract. Edman said, "As he receives $9.5 million in the last year before the FA, it may make sense for both sides to sign a three-year contract similar to Taylor's salary."