Ha-Seong Kim Poised for $39 Million Deal! Giants, Among 5 Teams in the Mix

Ha-Seong Kim, Nearing Massive $39 Million Deal… San Francisco Among 5 Teams Mentioned

Global sports outlet 'The Athletic' released an in-depth analysis of the top 50 MLB free agents on October 28, 2025 (Korean time), predicting that Ha-Seong Kim is likely to sign a significant contract this offseason. The publication ranked Kim 31st among the top 50 free agents, praising his versatile defensive skills and consistent performance. In particular, Kim's ability to play multiple positions, including second base, shortstop, and third base, makes him an attractive acquisition target for numerous teams. 'The Athletic' projects Kim to land a three-year deal worth a total of $39 million, positively assessing his potential and market value. The baseball world is expected to closely follow Kim's destination in this free agency market. Despite facing challenges due to injuries last season, Kim is still regarded as maintaining excellent skills. His agent is also expected to negotiate with various teams to secure the best possible contract terms. 'The Athletic' specifically mentioned five teams as potential destinations for Kim: the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals, Detroit Tigers, and San Francisco Giants. Each team is expected to value Kim's ability to play multiple positions and his defensive reliability, expressing interest in acquiring him. The Atlanta Braves, in particular, anticipate Kim exercising his $16 million player option in 2026, highly valuing his contribution to the team. The San Diego Padres, where Kim previously played as the starting second baseman, could potentially see his return. While the Washington Nationals are focused on developing young players, they may see Kim's experience and leadership as a positive influence on the team. The Detroit Tigers are expected to actively participate in the free agent market to strengthen their roster, hoping Kim can fill the team's needs. The San Francisco Giants, having made aggressive moves in the free agent market in recent years, could seek to further bolster their team by acquiring Kim. With various teams showing interest in Kim, his free agency contract is poised to be a major issue in MLB this offseason. Kim enjoyed a stellar 2023 season as the starting second baseman for the San Diego Padres, earning a Gold Glove Award. This achievement validated his outstanding defensive skills and established him as one of the top defensive players in Major League Baseball. Kim also finished 14th in the National League MVP voting, demonstrating his offensive prowess. His all-around performance greatly contributed to the team and solidified his position as a fan favorite. However, Kim's season ended prematurely due to a right shoulder injury in August. After undergoing surgery, he signed with the Tampa Bay Rays as a free agent but only played in 24 games after his return in July. He was then claimed off waivers by the Atlanta Braves late in the season, appearing in 24 games but struggling with the aftereffects of the injury and adapting to a new team. These injury concerns may have a somewhat negative impact on Kim's free agency contract, but teams that highly value his potential and experience are still expected to actively pursue him. Kim debuted in the major leagues in 2021 and has consistently performed, appearing in 588 games to date. While he faced some challenges early on, he gradually adapted to Major League Baseball and began to showcase his skills. His dedication and hard work have earned him recognition from teammates and coaching staff alike, and his positive attitude contributes to improving team morale. Kim also possesses the versatility to play second base, shortstop, and third base, allowing him to play in various positions as needed by the team. This versatility provides the manager with a wide range of options and adds flexibility to the team's roster management. Kim has also shown consistent growth in his offense, demonstrating improvement each year. His hitting ability is considered above average, and he is particularly known for his clutch performance in high-pressure situations. These diverse strengths make Kim an attractive player in the free agent market, and his future is being closely watched. Meanwhile, Kyle Tucker is considered the top free agent in this market, ranking first among free agents. Tucker is a player with exceptional hitting and defensive skills, and fierce competition for his acquisition is expected among several teams. Kim is also attracting attention as a key player in the free agent market alongside Tucker, and interest in the size and destination of his contract is growing. South Korean President Lee Jae-myung also has high expectations for Kim's performance and supports his successful free agent deal. U.S. President Donald Trump has also reportedly expressed continued interest in Major League Baseball, closely monitoring the trends in the free agent market. Kim's free agent contract is expected to contribute not only to his personal success but also to enhancing the status of Korean baseball. His performance provides hope to many Korean baseball fans and could pave the way for more Korean players to advance to Major League Baseball in the future.