Kim Ha-seong, recognized as one of the top defensive free agents entering the 2023 offseason, is drawing significant interest from several Major League Baseball teams.
Baseball analysts are paying acute attention to the free agent market for 2025, particularly as talent pools thin out. MLB.com recently categorized Ha-seong among top defensive players alongside fellow free agent Kim Hyun-soo, emphasizing his abilities at multiple infield positions.
The San Diego Padres, which previously held Ha-seong, have been cited as needing his exceptional defensive skills. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, he is viewed as superior to current starting infielder Xander Bogaerts, who serves as the team's second baseman. With the Giants signing another shortstop, Willie Adames, speculation about Ha-seong's potential return to the Padres has gained momentum.
Even with injuries sidelining him for much of the previous season, Kim has remained on scouts’ radar. MLB.com noted how impactful his surgery for right shoulder issues could be on his 2024 gameplay. Despite his injuries, Ha-seong has built up quite the reputation—over four years with the Padres, his statistics featured a batting average of .242, 47 home runs, and numerous defensive accolades.
Reports have linked Kim to several teams, including the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, and more recently, smaller market teams like the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, who are considering short-term contracts.
Ha-seong's versatility is central to his appeal; he can play shortstop, second base, and third base—all with excellent defensive metrics. Last year’s Gold Glove award for utility players solidified his standing as one of the elite defenders, making him highly sought after by teams aiming to improve their rosters.
Given the current offseason atmosphere, the Dodgers may be interested as they tend to favor players who can adapt to multiple positions. Manager Dave Roberts has previously indicated the team benefits from roster flexibility, making Ha-seong, with his top-tier defensive skills, an attractive option.
Despite his injury history, the season-ending surgery last August might provide him with additional incentive to secure a lucrative deal, as his status previously positioned him among the upper echelon of shortstops. Analysts point out Ha-seong’s contract values might have slipped from his peak, especially considering how similar players like Adames fetched contracts of $182 million over seven years with the Giants.
Ha-seong reclaimed considerable attention from teams post-injury, with sources indicating teams are not deterred by his prior struggles. Instead, they see him as one of the best free agents available for reshaping their defenses.
While the focus remains on Kim Ha-seong, his immediate future rests on the terms under which teams are willing to negotiate. With several interested parties, the upcoming weeks might prove pivotal for his MLB career.
Overall, the offseason is heating up for Kim Ha-seong. Regardless of potential obstacles, his blend of speed, multifaceted skills, and defensive accomplishments paints him as not just another free agent but as a potential game-changer for the team he might sign with next.
His prospects could shift dramatically based on his contract negotiations. Therefore, all eyes are on Ha-seong as the offseason continues and teams finalize their rosters for the upcoming season.