Breaking: Gold Glover Ha-Seong Kim Agrees To Rich 2-Year Free Agent Deal

Whether it's second base or shortstop, Ha-Seong Kim is one of the best in the business, with one Gold Glove already on his resume, and undoubtedly more to come. Perhaps one of those will be with the Tampa Bay Rays, who have signed Kim to a two-year free agent deal worth $29 million.

Rays grab Ha-Seong Kim pic.twitter.com/q8ALngsE8q
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) January 29, 2025

Kim has an opt-out after the first year.

The 29-year-old was limited to 121 games last year with the Padres after suffering a shoulder injury that was surgically repaired in October. He isn't expected to be ready by Opening Day, but late April or early May seem like realistic targets.

Kim has spent his entire four-year major league career with the San Diego Padres. He has played plenty of second base, third base, and shortstop over his career, but depending on how his throwing shoulder heals from the surgery, he could be relegated to sticking to second base, at least for 2025.

In addition to his defense, Kim was a slightly above-average offensive player as well through 2022 and 2023, posting an OPS+ of 106 across those two seasons, with double-digit homers, a .256 average and a .340 on-base percentage. He stole 38 bases as well in '23.

2024 was a bit more of a difficult proposition for Kim at the plate, as he hit .233 with a 96 OPS+. But he did still launch 11 homers in his 470 plate appearances, while swiping 22 bags.