“If Ha-Sung Kim were on the trade market right now…”
This year, the San Diego Padres hung their heads in shame after failing to make the postseason, but they did have a “harvest” in Kim Ha-Sung. In his third year in the majors, Kim has shown improvement this year, batting .260 with a .351 on-base percentage, .398 slugging percentage, and .749 OPS, along with 17 home runs, 60 RBI, and 38 stolen bases. This compares to a .251 batting average, .325 on-base percentage, .383 slugging percentage, and .708 OPS last year with 11 home runs, 59 RBIs, and 12 doubles.
In addition to his solid defense, Kim also added value as a utility player at second, third, and shortstop.
He’s a “jack-of-all-trades” for San Diego. However, is it possible for the Padres to offer Kim on the trade market? Is it an impossible scenario?
MLB Trade Rumors (MLBTR), which covers Major League Baseball news, mentioned Kim’s name in their offseason predictions for the Padres on Nov. 11 (KST).
“Kim is entering the final season of a four-year, $28 million contract with the Padres,” MLBTR wrote. “The outfielder, who can play anywhere in the infield and is a plus defender, hit .256 with a .338 on-base percentage and .391 slugging percentage over the past two years. If San Diego were to put him on the trade market, there would be plenty of suitors. He would be the most realistic trade candidate for San Diego outside of Juan Soto.”
Kim signed a 4+1 year, $36 million deal with San Diego. After next season, he will have to decide whether to exercise his mutual option for the 2025 season. If he decides to exercise the mutual option, he’ll have to play for $8 million in 2025, and with his stock price soaring this year, there’s no reason for him to do so. Kim’s salary for next year is already set at $8 million. As a result, he will likely hit free agency after next season.
MLBTR notes that San Diego has an alternative in Jake Cronenweth, who has been the starting second baseman this year: “Trading Kim would open up the second base spot for Cronenweth. Cronenwirth is a player who has been ‘miscast’ at first base,” MLBTR said. Cronenwirth played primarily at first base this year, but struggled, batting .229 with 10 home runs and 48 RBIs.
Of course, there is a scenario where Kim stays in San Diego. According to MLBTR, “If San Diego were to hold onto Kim, he would likely take over the Keystone spot. While the possibility of a position swap between Kim and Xander Bogaerts has been raised, 스포츠토토 it’s unlikely that the infield will change much.” In fact, with Bogart and one of the best third basemen in the league in Manny Machado, San Diego doesn’t really need a knife in its infield.
However, the first base and designated hitter spots are where the offense needs to be bolstered, according to MLBTR. At the trade deadline in July, San Diego had only Choi
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