Free agent San Diego Padres Hi Seong Kim is attracting “a lot of interest” early in free agency, with a division rival reportedly prioritizing the 29-year-old infielder.
Earlier this week, Kim declined his side of an $8 million mutual option, making him a free agent.
According to a source from Mark Feinsand of MLB.comthe San Francisco Giants have shown interest and appear to be the most eager to sign him.
The Milwaukee Brewers have also been linked to the shortstop.
Buster Posey, the Giants’ new president of baseball operations, stated this week that adding a shortstop would be ideal, allowing the team to use Tyler Fitzgerald in a more flexible role.
“If we could find a shortstop, that would be great.” Posey said. “I think Tyler Fitzgerald did a great job last year. I think he has value in several places on the field. I think it’s difficult to play in multiple places at the same time during the season. Whether he would be better suited to play second base long-term is a discussion we’re having.”
The Giants finished sixth in the National League with a .762 OPS, led by Tyler Fitzgerald, who posted an .887 OPS in 71 games.
Kim, who earned a Gold Glove and received five MVP votes in 2023, hit 11 home runs with 47 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .700 OPS in 121 games in 2024. His season was cut short in mid-August. due to a labral tear in his right shoulder, for which he underwent surgery in early October. The procedure is expected to sideline him until late April or early May.
During his four seasons with the Padres, Kim became a fan favorite in San Diego due to his solid performances and gritty playing style. He finished with a .242/.326/.380 slash line with the team during that time.
A move to San Francisco would be a good fit for Kim, who has connections to both the Giants manager and one of their regular players. Kim and Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee were teammates in Korea from 2017 to 2020, playing together on two different teams and for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. When Lee joined the Giants, his first call was to Kim.
Giants manager Bob Melvin, who coached Kim in San Diego during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, has high regard for the infielder.