Ranking Padres' Ha-Seong Kim's Top 10 Landing Spots in MLB Free Agency
Ha-Seong Kim is one of the most interesting free agents this offseason.
After undergoing shoulder surgery in October, he might not be ready for Opening Day. He's also coming off of something of an underwhelming offensive season, having hit .233 with a .700 OPS over 121 games for the San Diego Padres.
With that said, he's just two years removed from getting down-ballot NL MVP support, as he hit 17 home runs with 60 RBI, 75 walks, 38 stolen bases and a .749 OPS. Kim also won a Gold Glove Award in 2023, posting 16 defensive runs saved across three infield positions.
Still only 29, it's entirely possible Kim will sign a one-year deal to rebuild his value. He could also sign a multiyear deal that allows him to opt out and return to the open market if he rebounds in 2025. And since the Padres didn't give Kim a qualifying offer this offseason, he'll be eligible to receive one next winter if he's set to become a free agent again.
Because of Kim's defensive flexibility, he could be a fit for any team with a need at second base, shortstop or third base. With that in mind, here's a look at 10 possible destinations for Kim in free agency this offseason.
10. Houston Astros
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Alex Bregman has not yet made his free-agent decision. Conventional wisdom seems to be the Astros aren't likely to meet his asking price, but until Bregman signs elsewhere, it's going to be hard to envision him playing his home games anywhere other than Houston.
If Bregman does leave, the Astros acquired Isaac Paredes from the Chicago Cubs in the Kyle Tucker trade, so he could very well take over at the hot corner. However, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported this past weekend that the Astros have "emerged as serious suitors" as the St. Louis Cardinals try to trade Nolan Arenado. So clearly, acquiring a third baseman and having Paredes slide across the diamond to first base isn't out of the question.
Should a deal for Bregman or Arenado not come to fruition, Kim could sign to play third base for the Astros while also providing middle-infield insurance if Jeremy Peña or Jose Altuve goes down with an injury.
9. Boston Red Sox
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If the Red Sox sign another outfielder—they're among a slew of teams that have been linked to Teoscar Hernández—then this would be unlikely. In that case, Ceddanne Rafaela and Trevor Story could play the two middle infield positions, with an outfield of Jarren Durran, Wilyer Abreu and whoever the new signing would be.
That said, Rafaela is a much better defender in center field (12 defensive runs saved in 2024) than at shortstop (minus-2 DRS in 2024). Story has also played in just 163 of a possible 486 games since signing a six-year, $140 million deal with the Red Sox. This team definitely needs to add in the middle infield if Rafaela will see the bulk of his time in the outfield in 2025.
Whether it's at shortstop or second base, Kim could provide a strong option in 2025 while also not blocking top prospects Marcelo Mayer and Kristian Campbell in the long run. Heck, if the Red Sox were to shift Rafael Devers across the diamond to first base on a full- or part-time basis, Kim could take down innings at the hot corner for the Red Sox as well.
8. San Diego Padres
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Kim became a fan favorite over four seasons with the Padres, and the "Ha-Seong Kim!" chants at Petco Park were really cool to hear every time he batted. We're putting him on this list because the Padres would probably like to bring him back, and Kim said in September that "obviously San Diego's a huge part of me."
With all that said, a reunion feels unlikely. The Padres may prefer to bring back Kim, but he's not under contract for 2025, while Xander Bogaerts, Jake Cronenworth and Luis Arráez are. Even if the Padres were to trade Cronenworth or Arráez—it would be shocking if anyone took on Bogaerts' contract. President of baseball operations A.J. Preller might use the savings somewhere else on the roster instead of re-signing Kim.
Again, anything is possible because these two sides seem to be genuinely fond of each other. But more likely than not, Kim has played his final game as a member of the Padres.
7. Kansas City Royals
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The Royals were a fun team in 2024, but their lineup was too reliant on Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez to carry them. So far this offseason, they've added Jonathan India via a trade with the Cincinnati Reds. However, that can't be the only move that general manager J.J. Picollo makes to bolster the lineup.
India is a natural second baseman, but he has minus 31 defensive runs saved at that position in his career. He is probably a better fit as a DH. Both India and Michael Massey are "willing to play left field," according to Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of The Athletic. That would open up the possibility for Kim to be the team's primary second baseman. He could also be an option at third base for manager Matt Quatraro if Maikel Garcia doesn't take a step forward.
Perhaps if the Royals add another bat, it will be someone with a little more thump. Regardless of their current roster, it would be hard to argue if they signed someone who draws walks, steals bases, and is a slick fielder at three infield positions. Watching him and Witt up the middle would be pretty fun.
6. Philadelphia Phillies
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Despite declining defensive metrics, Trea Turner is staying put at shortstop for the Phillies. Bryson Stott is a tremendous defender at second base, and the Phillies will hope for a rebound from the former first-round pick at the plate in 2025. Kim will only really be a fit for the Phillies if they wind up trading Alec Bohm and need a third baseman.
Bohm's name has been mentioned in trade rumors for much of the offseason, and while Phillies manager Rob Thomson said at last week's MLB Winter Meetings that he told the All-Star that the team isn't shopping him, he didn't deny they are listening.
"I just wanted to let him know that we're not shopping him," Thomson said, according to Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer. "But because he's a good player, there's a whole lot of interest in him from other teams, so obviously you have to do your homework and talk to people and listen."
By most accounts, the asking price on Bohm has been through the roof so far, which may indicate that the Phillies will hold onto the 28-year-old, who has two remaining arbitration years before free agency.
Kim would check many boxes for the Phillies if they need a third baseman. He's an excellent defender, which could help to cover up some of Turner's shortcomings at shortstop. He makes contact, draws walks and doesn't strike out a ton, all qualities the Phillies need as they try to tweak their lineup. And for a team that's signed a ton of qualified free agents in recent years, adding Kim wouldn't require giving up any draft compensation since the Padres didn't extend the QO to him.
5. New York Yankees
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According to Roster Resource, the Yankees' current projected lineup includes Ben Rice at first base, Oswaldo Cabrera at third base, Trent Grisham in center field and Jasson Dominguez in left field. Suffice to say, at least three of those four are unlikely to be in the Opening Day starting lineup.
Even with Juan Soto, the Yankees had holes in their lineup last season. Gleyber Torres and Giancarlo Stanton both got hot in the postseason, but the lineup was still too top-heavy. With Soto having departed, the Yankees probably need to add two or three everyday players this winter. Expect general manager Brian Cashman to be one of the most active executives for the remainder of this offseason.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is a natural second baseman and could return to that spot with Torres likely to depart in free agency. But Cashman has kind of left the door open to put him at any of three spots in 2025:
If Chisholm is at second base, Kim could play third base for the Yankees. If Chisholm remains at third base—a spot he posted six outs above average at after being acquired by the Yankees—Kim could play second base. And if the Yankees use Chisholm in the outfield, likely center field, either infield spot would be open for Kim.
The Yankees have enough holes in their lineup right now that they will be connected to just about any free-agent position player. Kim is no exception.
4. Atlanta Braves
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Orlando Arcia was a surprise All-Star in 2023, giving off the impression of a seamless transition at shortstop after the Braves allowed Dansby Swanson to depart in free agency.
However, he struggled mightily at the plate in 2024. Though he hit 17 home runs, Arcia batted just .218. He posted just a 73 OPS+, well below the league average of 100. Arcia is signed to a team-friendly deal that will pay him just $2 million in 2025, so he could return to a utility role or be traded to another team looking for infield help. But the Braves are hardly stuck guaranteeing him a starting role next season.
Kim would be a clear upgrade over Arcia, and just feels like the type of shrewd signing that president of baseball operations Alex Anthopoulos would make. If Kim goes to the Braves, he'll probably wind up starting at shortstop for the NL All-Star team. Then Atlanta will extend a qualifying offer to him next winter and allow him to depart in free agency when he signs a market-value multiyear deal elsewhere.
3. Seattle Mariners
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The Mariners wasted arguably the best starting rotation in baseball this past season, missing the playoffs altogether after finishing 21st in runs scored.
Seattle will have a full season of the outfield of Julio Rodríguez, Victor Robles and Randy Arozarena in 2025, which projects to be a pretty good group. The infield, though, needs a ton of work. J.P. Crawford will be at shortstop, and Luke Raley could be the first baseman, although he could also DH and/or see some time in the outfield. As is, Ryan Bliss (.687 OPS in 2024) is currently projected to be the starting second baseman, while Dylan Moore—who won a Gold Glove Award but hit .201 with a .687 OPS in 2024—would be at third base.
Kim would be an upgrade at either spot, with the most likely scenario being that he would see most of his time at second base. Injuries limited Crawford to just 105 games this past season, and Seattle surely would have liked to have an insurance option like Kim capable of taking over and playing shortstop at a high level.
Obviously, signing Kim alone wouldn't fix Seattle's offensive issues. Truthfully, the Mariners must add a big bopper like Pete Alonso to the middle of their order. But T-Mobile Park has been the least hitter-friendly stadium in baseball over the past three seasons, according to MLB Park Factors. The difference in production Teoscar Hernández had playing his home games at Dodger Stadium in 2024 instead of T-Mobile Park in 2023 won't make sluggers eager to sign with the Mariners.
Coming to Seattle is a much easier sell to a player whose game isn't really predicated on driving the ball like Kim. So president of baseball operations Jerry Dipoto would be wise to sign Kim and then try to get creative in landing a slugger on the trade market.
2. Detroit Tigers
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Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press reported on "The Days of Roar" that the Tigers have interest in Kim.
Manager A.J. Hinch's squad snuck into the postseason after going 17-8 in September and knocked out the Astros during the ALWCS. Still, the Tigers need to make additions—while also hoping for a healthy season from DH Kerry Carpenter and a breakout campaign from first baseman Spencer Torkelson—if they hope to return to the postseason for a second year in a row.
Kim would likely usurp Trey Sweeney and Javier Báez at shortstop, though his flexibility would allow him to shift over to second base or third base if Colt Keith and/or Jace Jung underwhelms.
Detroit has a lot of young talent on the roster, but very little certainty. Once Kim is healthy, he'd give Hinch a Swiss Army knife that could fill whatever holes emerge.
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
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In B/R free agent predictions last month, we projected Kim would sign a one-year, $14 million pillow contract with the Dodgers. It would be a painful turn of events for Padres fans, but it makes quite a bit of sense.
It seems that Mookie Betts will play one of the two middle-infield positions for the Dodgers in 2025, but if the plan is to utilize Tommy Edman in center field, the remaining options to fill the other middle infield spots internally are Miguel Rojas and Gavin Lux. Max Muncy will remain at third base, but he's going to turn 35 next summer and played in just 73 regular season games this past year:
President of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and manager Dave Roberts love players with positional flexibility, particularly if they can get them when their value is down. Padres fans might now want to hear it, but Kim feels like a perfect Dodger.
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