San Diego Padres Face Tough Decision: $100 Million for Ha Seong Kim?

Ha Seong Kim’s Rising Value in MLB Trade Rumors

Ha Seong Kim’s value continues to rise. o is currently playing for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball (MLB) and is the subject of many trade rumors this offseason.

This is because he will qualify as a free agent (FA) after the 2024 season. Amid these circumstances, The Athletic reported on the 2nd that Kim’s value exceeds $100 million.

They reported that Ha Seong Kim excelled defensively and demonstrated his ability to hit effectively in Major League Baseball (MLB). They added that, given his current performance, his value is at its highest peak.

Opportunity for San Diego to Trade Kim
Caution Advised in Approach

The Athletic proposed that the present moment is an opportunity for San Diego to consider trading Kim Ha Seong. However, they advised that such a move should be approached with caution. They emphasized that if San Diego intends to retain Kim after his contract concludes this season, it would likely require an investment exceeding $100 million.

San Diego is tightening its financial belt, ushering in a period of austerity. This situation laid the groundwork for the trade that involved sending Juan Soto, renowned for his outstanding hitting skills, and Trent Grisham to the New York Yankees.

Manny Machado’s Injury and Kim’s Utility
Reinforcements Needed in the Outfield

However, San Diego’s need for Ha Seong Kim remains critical. Their regular third baseman, Manny Machado, may face challenges in the early part of the upcoming season due to his recovery from elbow surgery conducted after the previous season concluded.

In this context, Ha Seong Kim, who can cover various infield positions except for first base, could be tapped to step in at third base during Machado’s absence. Simultaneously, there is also a need for reinforcements in the outfield.

It’s a challenging predicament for San Diego as they grapple with reducing expenditures while striving to maintain team strength. The Athletic said, “It’s regrettable for San Diego that they couldn’t sign with Jung Hoo Lee (San Francisco Giants), who could have bolstered their outfield.”

By. Han Jun Ryu