JUST IN: New York Yankees Blockbuster Deal Land $28 Million San Diego Padres’ Infielder Ha-Seong Kim To Fill Void At Third Base.

JUST IN: New York Yankees Blockbuster Deal Land $28 Million San Diego Padres’ Infielder Ha-Seong Kim To Fill Void At Third Base.

The New York Yankees are in need of a third baseman, and one prediction suggests they might target Ha-Seong Kim in free agency.

Kim, who recently completed a four-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres, is known for his ability to play multiple infield positions. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. expected to move to second base, the Yankees would have an opportunity to slot Kim in at third base.

Colin Cerniglia of YardBarker forecasts that the Yankees will sign Kim to take over the hot corner:

“Kim’s glove continues to shine, and he posted an impressive 6.9 fWAR during the 2023-24 season with the Padres. While his offense is less striking (.242 career batting average), his defensive skills and versatility are top-tier. Prediction: The Yankees will shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base and bring in Kim to solidify their infield at third, addressing two needs simultaneously,” Cerniglia wrote.
The move would make sense for the Yankees, as Kim’s defensive prowess would be a valuable asset. Offensively, he might fit as a lower-order hitter, considering his .233 average, 11 home runs, and 47 RBIs with the Padres last season.
Kim is recovering from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the playoffs, leaving uncertainty about his readiness for the start of the season.

A versatile defender at shortstop, second base, and third base, Kim offers valuable positional flexibility. According to MLBTradeRumors’ free agent predictions, he is expected to sign a one-year, $12 million deal to reestablish his market value for 2025.

The article notes that if a team is confident in Kim’s medical outlook, they might overlook his rehab process and pursue a long-term deal. Alternatively, he could consider a two-year contract with an opt-out option, similar to deals secured by other Boras clients, Michael Conforto and Rhys Hoskins, after their injuries. However, such deals carry risks for the signing team. Both Conforto and Hoskins were projected to be ready by Opening Day of their respective two-year contracts.

Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller recently indicated that Kim might be ready for game action sometime between May and July. Given the uncertainty surrounding his recovery, Kim’s contractual options vary widely. A one-year deal, potentially with performance-based incentives, could provide him the opportunity to return to free agency next year.

If the Yankees take a chance on him, Kim could become a mid-season addition to strengthen their roster once he’s fully recovered.
If the Yankees choose not to pursue Kim or another player, they could opt to start DJ LeMahieu at third base instead.

LeMahieu has dealt with injuries over the past two seasons, but MLB insider Jon Heyman suggests the Yankees might ultimately rely on him for the position.

“Yankees people love Alex Bregman but question whether Yankee Stadium is the right fit for him. It’s possible they’re hoping DJ LeMahieu regains his health to handle third base,” Heyman wrote in his article.

LeMahieu is entering the fifth year of his six-year, $90 million contract. In 2024, he played just 64 games, posting a .204 batting average with 2 home runs and 26 RBIs.
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