Top Landing Spots for Free Agent Ha-Seong Kim
When Ha-Seong Kim hit the open market after declining his option, he immediately became one of the best available shortstops. Where could he end up ahead of 2026?
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It was just last offseason that there was a free agency profile written for Ha-Seong Kim entered free agency for the first time in his career. After signing a two-year deal with the Tampa Bay Rays last offseason, it looked like the Rays had filled the sudden hole they had at the shortstop position at a relatively cheap cost.
The two-year, $29 million deal, where the second year was a mutual option, was signed on Feb. 3, right before teams reported to spring training. The reason for the late signing was that Kim was coming off an injury-shortened season in San Diego, and there were questions as to when he would be able to make his 2025 debut.
It came as a surprise to many when they placed him on waivers and quickly claimed by the Braves, who were willing to take on the remaining $1.9 million on his contract for 2025 and were hoping to have him at the same price for 2026.
That was until a week ago, when Kim executed his side of the mutual option and opted out of the $16 million he would have been due in 2026.
While his 2025 season was ultimately a disappointment, he now has the opportunity to choose his next home yet again. The main difference is that he is now fully healthy.
Free Agent Profile: Ha-Seong Kim
- Age in 2026: 30
- 2025 Stats: 48 G, 191 PA, .234/.304/.345, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 6 SB, 82 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR
- 2025 Salary: $13 million
- Qualifying Offer Eligibility: No; traded midseason
Contract Projection
- Contract Length Expectation: 2-4 years
- Expected AAV: $10-16 million
It had seemed as if the Braves’ landing spot in early September was perfect for both parties. Atlanta was likely done with their revolving door of shortstop options, and Kim was going to be given everyday at-bats for the last month of the season to prove that he was fully healthy.
In the 24 games played in Atlanta, Kim slashed .253/.316/.368 with three home runs, 12 RBI, and a 91 wRC+. That was a slash line that was more in-line with the numbers he put up in his four seasons with the Padres after coming over from the KBO.
Most of Kim’s value comes from his ability to play multiple positions around the infield. While he has predominantly been a shortstop, he also has a large sample size at both second and third base. Given the versatility, you just know that there are going to be multiple suitors for him once free agency really kicks off within the coming weeks.
Free Agent Landing Spots for Ha-Seong Kim
Atlanta Braves
This first option is the most obvious one.
When I wrote Kim’s free agency profile last offseason, I highlighted the Braves as being a potential suitor for his services. Claiming him made too much sense.
The Braves are entering 2026 with Nick Allen as their projected starting shortstop. Their agreeing to pay him the remaining money on his contract this last season was a sign they wanted an upgrade and were hoping that he would want to stick around for the second year.
With Atlanta looking to right the ship after a dreadful 2025 season, I would look for them to prioritize bringing Kim back on a new deal, perhaps of the multi-year variety.
Seattle Mariners
Seattle would be an interesting option for Kim after what was an incredible 2025 season that ultimately fell short for the Mariners.
Should the Mariners decide not to bring back their postseason catalyst, Jorge Polanco, Kim would be a great player to pivot to. One who could fill the same role that Polanco did for them in 2025, but with a little more defensive versatility.
J.P. Crawford is the shortstop for this team. However, Kim could easily slide into third base over Ben Williamson. Second base would also be an option, but you would figure that the Mariners want to continue to see what they may have in the young left-hander Cole Young.
The Mariners are going to have quite a few holes to fill now that Josh Naylor, Eugenio Suarez, and Polanco are all options to depart via free agency. If they want to keep the momentum going, they are going to need to make a Kim-like move for their team.
Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are in an interesting spot as they enter the 2025-2026 offseason. They struck gold with their one-year signing of Gleyber Torres, whom they did not hesitate to offer the qualifying offer to as soon as the offseason began. With Torres likely looking to capitalize in free agency, perhaps pricing the Tigers out, bringing in Kim would be another strong option for them.
From all reports so far this offseason, it seems as if the Tigers want to revisit the Alex Bregman negotiations that they had last year with the third baseman after he opted out of his deal in Boston. With a hole at all three positions that Kim could fill defensively, he again becomes another option for a young team looking for some stability.
Even if they do bring in Bregman, should Kim’s market not develop the way he may want, the Tigers could still use an upgrade over the Trey Sweeney/Javier Baez tandem at shortstop.
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are in an important part of their current team situation. With their core still under contract for a few more years, highlighted by a yearly MVP candidate in Bobby Witt Jr. they are in a spot where, if they choose to properly invest, they can make a run for the AL Central crown.
Maikel Garcia has proven to be their third baseman going forward after putting together what was a 121 wRC+ season in 2025. One that also had him nominated for a Gold Glove. Witt could use an upgrade alongside him up the middle going forward if they Royals want to make something out of this roster.
They were hoping that their Brady Singer for Jonathan India swap last year would be the answer there, but, after a lackluster season, the Royals currently have Michael Massey penciled in to start at second. While Massey is an okay option, the -0.4 fWAR in 2025 needs to be upgraded if they are serious about competing in 2026.
San Francisco Giants
What a fascinating five months it has been for the San Francisco Giants.
After being hired as the new President of Baseball Operations on Sept. 30 of 2024, Buster Posey took every chance he could to make a move to improve his ballclub. That really kicked off when he made the surprising blockbuster move to trade for Rafael Devers back in mid-June.
Now, after hiring the first-time professional coach to the managerial position, former Tennessee baseball head coach Tony Vitello, Posey should be looking to make more notable moves to really improve this team.
Ha-Seong Kim would truly round out a strong infield comprised of Matt Chapman at the hot corner, Willy Adames at short, and Devers at first base. Casey Schmitt would serve as a great piece to have on the bench for them. Locking up Kim as Adames’s double play partner would put this team one step closer to reaching the postseason.
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Cristian has been at Just Baseball since 2021, when he first started writing about prospects. He spent eight years working in Major League Baseball with the…