If it weren’t for injuries, he would have been a free agent sensation. However, the injury risk has caused Kim’s projected free agency value to drop significantly. However, San Diego Padres President of Baseball Operations and General Manager A.J. Preller still thinks highly of Kim, so the possibility of a reunion is drawing attention.
On June 26 (KST), The Athletic published a report on San Diego’s free agents. Kim has an $8 million mutual option contract for next year, but both the club and the player agree that it is a viable option. With Scott Boras as his agent, Kim will likely decline the option and hit the free agent market.
In addition to Kim, San Diego has eight players set to become free agents: pitchers Tanner Scott and Martin Perez, catchers Kyle Higashioka and Elias Diaz, infielder Donovan Solano, and outfielders Jurickson Profar and David Peralta. “Most of the eight players have contributed significantly to the team this season, and San Diego would like to keep at least two of them,” The Athletic reported.
As for Kim Ha-seong,
The Athletic said, “Kim underwent shoulder labrum surgery on Nov. 11. The surgery will delay his return until sometime in the first half of next year. It could have a significant impact on his free agency, as he was set to sign a $100 million contract before the shoulder injury.” ”However, Kim is expected to decline the $8 million mutual option. In that case, San Diego would have to pay him a $2 million buyout.
“If the two sides can’t come to terms on a new contract, San Diego will have to start 32-year-old Xander Bogaerts at shortstop, who has less defensive range,” he said, adding that the loss of Kim would weaken the defense.
San Diego also holds Kim in high regard. “He’s a very talented player,” said Preller. “He brings a lot of energy to the game, which we realized at the end of the season, but it was definitely a big blow to the team to lose him,” said Preller. 토토사이트 ”He’s a very intelligent baseball player. He’s a very intelligent baseball player. He plays really good defense. He can play every position, he can get on base, he can hit home runs, he can steal bases.”
“We think he’s a very talented and valuable player, and we’d love to have him back, but we’ll have to wait and see what happens,” said Preller, who also expressed hope for a reunion.
Kim’s injury could be a factor in San Diego’s favor.
Prior to the season, Kim was expected to receive a massive $100 million contract, but his injury risk makes the size of the deal unpredictable. A shoulder injury is not something to be taken lightly for the hard-throwing shortstop.
The Athletic released its ranking of the top 45 free agents in Major League Baseball for the upcoming winter on Dec. 25, and Kim was ranked 27th. Columnist Jim Borden, a former Major League Baseball general manager, predicted that Kim will sign for $10 million a year plus incentives and signing bonuses based on conversations with major club decision makers.
His price tag, which was expected to reach $100 million before his injury, has dropped by a tenth. “To show that he’s recovered from his injury, he may need to have a performance like he had in 2023, when he hit 17 home runs and 38 doubles after signing a one-year deal,” Borden said.
Borden believes San Diego, the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Pittsburgh Pirates are the best fits for Kim. San Diego, which is in austerity mode, can’t afford to sign Kim to a big, long-term deal. However, if Kim’s free agency price drops to something they can afford, they could reunite with him on a short-term, one-year deal.
It all comes down to how the market values Kim’s injury risk.
If a team is willing to take the risk, a multi-year deal is possible, but if not, he’ll have to re-sign as a free agent on a one-year deal. In this case, San Diego could be a strong option because of its familiarity with Kim.
“A lot of players who are about to hit free agency have told me they’ve really enjoyed being here,” Preller said. “I’ve heard five or six times, ‘This is the best team I’ve ever played on.’ I hope they’re interested in coming back. We’ll figure it out in the coming weeks and months,” he said, laying the groundwork for free agency.