The New York Yankees are in need of a third baseman, and one forecast suggests they will sign key man.
Kim, a free agent after completing a four-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres, is versatile, capable of playing multiple infield positions. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely moving to second base, the Yankees have an opening at third.
Colin Cerniglia from YardBarker predicts that the Yankees will sign Kim to fill the third base role and strengthen their infield.
“Kim’s defense remains outstanding, and he posted an impressive 6.9 fWAR in 2023-24 with the Padres. While his bat isn’t eye-catching (.242 career average), his defensive skills and versatility are invaluable. Prediction: The Yankees will shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base and bring in Kim to stabilize third base, addressing two needs at once,” wrote Cerniglia.
Signing Kim would be a smart move given his strong defense and moderate offensive contributions. Kim would likely bat lower in the order, as he hit .233 with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs for the Padres last season.
What is Kim Expected to Get in Free Agency?
Ha-Seong Kim is recovering from shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the playoffs, so his health status at the start of the upcoming season remains uncertain.
Known for his strong defense at shortstop, second base, and third base, Kim offers positional flexibility. In MLBTradeRumors’ free agent prediction, they project Kim to sign a one-year, $12 million deal to rebuild his value for 2025.
The article suggests, “It’s certainly possible that if a team is comfortable with his medical outlook, they may overlook the rehab process and still pursue a long-term contract.” Kim could also consider two-year deals with opt-out options, similar to what Michael Conforto and Rhys Hoskins did after recovering from significant injuries. However, such deals come with considerable risk, as both Conforto and Hoskins were expected to be ready for Opening Day in the first year of their two-year contracts.
“Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller recently provided a rough timeline of ‘May, June, July’ for when Kim could be ready for game action,” the article noted. “Given his rehab process, Kim’s contractual outcomes are highly uncertain. A one-year deal with incentives based on playing time could set him up for a return to the market next year.”
If New York decides to take a chance on Kim, he could return mid-season and strengthen their roster once he is fully recovered.
Yankees Could Have DJ LeMahieu Start At Third
If the New York Yankees decide not to pursue Ha-Seong Kim or any other third base options, they could opt to start DJ LeMahieu at third base.
LeMahieu has struggled with injuries over the past two seasons, but MLB insider Jon Heyman believes the Yankees will ultimately turn to him at third base.
“Yankees people love Alex Bregman but question whether Yankee Stadium is right for him. It’s possible they hope DJ LeMahieu regains health to fill 3B,” Heyman wrote.
LeMahieu is entering the fifth year of his six-year, $90 million contract. In 2024, he played just 64 games, hitting .204 with 2 home runs and 26 RBIs.
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