Free agent Ha-Seong Kim, the highest-ranked infielder still on the market, will not be ready to start the 2025 season following shoulder surgery in October. reports MLB.com. It was hoped that Kim would be ready for Opening Day or soon after, although it now appears his return won’t come until late April or May at the earliest.
Kim, 29, injured his shoulder diving at first base during an out attempt on August 18. He initially attempted to rehab his injury so he could be available for the San Diego Padres in the playoffs, although rehabilitation did not work, and Kim had his labrum surgically repaired in October. Here is the play that led to the injury:
“The reason I went to Arizona in the first place was because I thought maybe I could come back,” Kim said of his injury in late September (via MLB.com). “I played a rehabilitation match, but the pain returned. After many conversations, we decided to find out what the next step was, and that’s how we decided to proceed with surgery.”
The injury is to Kim’s right shoulder, his throwing shoulder, which is important for a player who helps his team the most on defense. Kim has played a lot of second base, third base and shortstop during his four MLB seasons, but if his arm strength and/or accuracy are compromised by the labrum injury, he could be relegated at second base long term.
Kim and the Padres each declined their share of a mutual $8 million option after the World Series, sending him to free agency. We ranked Kim as the 14th best free agent available this offseasonand the second best infielder behind Willy Adames. Here is the wording:
Talented defensive shortstops with three years of league-average offensive production are always in demand. It’s always been that way, and it will remain that way until baseball stops being played because of an uninhabitable planet or cosmic catastrophe. Kim really checks both boxes. It is a pleasure to see him occupy his position, demonstrating a particular ability to move to his right. While Kim won’t be mistaken for a dynamic offensive player anytime soon, the improvements he’s made as a base stealer have helped make up for his lackluster hitting ability. He’s a good player. Unfortunately, he had to undergo shoulder surgery this fall, which will keep him out of next season and likely reduce his earning potential.
Given the uncertainty surrounding the injury, including when Kim will be available to play and how it will affect his throwing, he may be considering a short-term contract to prove himself. A year with a player option or two, something along those lines. Kim is still young enough that a good, healthy 2025 could still allow him to cash in well as a free agent next offseason.
Alex Bregman’s free agency and Nolan Arenado’s trade availability complicate the domestic market a bit. The New York Yankees and Seattle Mariners stand out as contenders in need of help at second base and could roll the dice on Kim with a short-term contract, if he is open to such a deal. Other infield-needy teams, like the Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs and Padres, could check in.
After a rough MLB rookie season in 2021, Kim has established himself as the league’s average hitter over the past three years, hitting .250/.336/.385 with 15 home runs and 28 stolen bases for 162 matches. He won the NL Utility Gold Glove in 2023 and averaged 4.6 WAR per 162 games as a big man thanks to his exemplary defense.
