Veteran San Diego Padres infielder Ha-Seong Kim remains a free agent as the 2025 season approaches. Could the New York Yankees be a potential destination for the 2023 Gold Glove Award recipient? Spotrac estimates Kim’s market value at four years and $49 million, but given his prolonged stay on the open market late into the offseason, it’s unlikely he’ll secure such a contract.
Kim’s 2024 season was cut short due to a shoulder injury, and he won’t be fully recovered in time for Opening Day. As a result, the 29-year-old will likely have to settle for a shorter, one- or two-year deal.
This could present a prime opportunity for Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who still needs to bolster his infield after Gleyber Torres’ move to the Detroit Tigers. FOX Sports’ Deesha Thosar predicts Kim will end up with the Yankees, noting his high baseball IQ, defensive flexibility, and overall defensive excellence would greatly benefit a team that struggled with baserunning and infield errors in 2024.
Thosar also points out that the Yankees don’t necessarily need flashy free-agent acquisitions; instead, they need a versatile, Gold Glove-caliber player like Kim to help improve their offensive and defensive consistency.
Signing Kim would likely complete the Yankees’ roster overhaul, following the addition of former NL MVPs Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt after losing outfielder Juan Soto to the Mets.
