Korean infielder Kim Ha-seong signs with Rays: reports

Korean Infielder Kim Ha Seong Signs With Rays: Reports

San Diego Padres' Ha-Seong Kim hits an RBI double, allowing Jackson Merrill to score, in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, June 30, 2024, in Boston. AP-Yonhap

San Diego Padres‘ Ha-Seong Kim hits an RBI double, permitting Jackson Merrill to attain, within the seventh inning of a baseball sport in opposition to the Boston Purple Sox, June 30, 2024, in Boston. AP-Yonhap

Gold Glove-winning free agent infielder Kim Ha-seong is becoming a member of the Tampa Bay Rays on a multiyear contract.

Citing sources, ESPN and MLB.com reported Wednesday (U.S. native time) Kim had agreed to a two-year deal value $29 million, with an opt-out clause after the 2025 season.

The Korean infielder will earn $13 million this yr, which is able to make him the highest-paid participant on the Rays. If Kim does not choose out, his $29 million contract can be the fifth-largest free agent pact in Rays historical past.

Kim, 29, underwent surgical procedure to restore a small tear within the labrum of his proper shoulder in October, some two months after hurting the shoulder in a dive again to first base on a pickoff try. Kim is not going to be able to play on Opening Day on March 28 and is aiming to return someday in Might.

Kim performed for the San Diego Padres from 2021 to 2024, after making the bounce from the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Group through posting and signing a four-year, $28 million contract.

Kim loved his finest season in 2023, when he received the Nationwide League (NL) Gold Glove award on the utility spot and set profession highs on the plate with 17 dwelling runs, 60 RBIs, 38 steals and an on-base plus slugging (OPS) of .749. He performed second base, shortstop and third base throughout that season.

In 2024, Kim served because the Padres‘ main shortstop, because the group moved former All-Star shortstop Xander Bogaerts to second base. Kim’s protection slipped somewhat bit from his 2023 heights and he additionally did not match his offensive success. He completed with 11 homers, 47 RBIs, 22 steals and a .700 OPS in 121 video games earlier than struggling his season-ending shoulder harm in August.

Kim declined an $8 million mutual choice to turn out to be a free agent and is anticipated to take over because the Rays‘ on a regular basis shortstop as soon as he is able to play once more.

With Kim leaving the NL West, two of his ex-KBO teammates will ply their commerce on the West Coast: Lee Jung-hoo of the San Francisco Giants, who can be coming into his second large league season, and Kim Hye-seong of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who signed with the defending World Collection champions earlier this month.

This season, The Rays will play their dwelling video games at George M. Steinbrenner Subject in Tampa, Florida, the spring coaching dwelling of the New York Yankees. Their ordinary dwelling, Tropicana Subject in St. Petersburg, Florida, was severely broken by Hurricane Milton in October and isn’t anticipated to be repaired till 2026. (Yonhap)

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