Padres Fan-Favorite Player Elects Free Agency After 4 Seasons

Ha-Seong Kim, the versatile and fan-favorite infielder for the San Diego Padres, has officially declined his $8 million mutual option, choosing to enter free agency after four impactful seasons. 

This decision, anticipated since Kim hired the Boras Corporation for representation in October, includes a $2 million buyout and marks his first opportunity to explore the open market since joining MLB from Korea’s KBO League in 2021. 

Known for his elite defense, Kim played a vital role in the Padres' infield, earning a Gold Glove for his utility role in 2023 and maintaining top rankings in Outs Above Average over multiple seasons. At the plate, he held a steady .242/.326/.380 slash line, adding 47 home runs and 78 stolen bases across his time in San Diego.

Goodbye Ha Seong Kim 💔 https://t.co/6IqVgNRMyE

— Padres Nation (@NationPadres) October 4, 2024

Kim's free agency arrives with a few unknowns as he recovers from labrum surgery, which could delay his 2025 debut. 

However, his reputation as one of the league’s best defensive infielders, coupled with his speed and versatility, is expected to draw strong interest from teams seeking a reliable middle infielder. 

“San Diego’s a huge part of me,” Kim said through his interpreter, reflecting on the bond he developed with the city and its fans. 

Padres GM A.J. Preller also left the door open for Kim’s potential return, stating, “He’s a really talented and valuable player… From our standpoint, we’d love to bring him back.”

Hope he gets what he deserves. I'll always love him as a San Diego Padre. HA SEONG KIM HA SEONG KIM pic.twitter.com/fiK8sfxYkD

— 🐧 🌴 (@PhuckoffMatt) November 2, 2024

With Kim testing the market, the Padres face questions about their infield depth heading into 2025. 

The team shifted Xander Bogaerts back to shortstop following Kim’s late-season injury, potentially indicating plans for Bogaerts and Jake Cronenworth to fill the middle infield positions next season. 

As the Padres work to build a championship-caliber roster, Preller emphasized a flexible approach, noting, “We’re here to win a championship… We’ve done it a lot of different ways over the last five years.” 

Photo Credit:  David Frerker-Imagn Images