After their loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 2024 World Series, the New York Yankees had a decision to make in their middle infield. Second baseman Gleyber Torres was set to become a free agent after holding the position for seven seasons in the Bronx, hitting at least 24 home runs in four of those seasons and receiving two American League All-Star selections.
In the end, however, the Yankees' decision was no decision at all. They never handed Torres a qualifying offer, nor made any offer at all to keep him in the Bronx. Torres signed with the Detroit Tigers for one year and $15 million and the Yankees have been searching for someone to play second base ever since.
In San Diego, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim and the Padres agreed after the season not to exercise the mutual option year on Kim's contract, allowing the 29-year-old former Korean Baseball Organization standout to test MLB free agency for the first time.
According to an analysis published Wednesday by Fangraphs, if Kim were to move one spot to the right on the diamond, becoming a second baseman, he would be "a very good fit" for the Yankees.
"Right now, our Depth Charts show them with 3.4 projected wins from the second base position, but that's because we have Jazz Chisholm Jr. slotted in there, with DJ LeMahieu and Oswaldo Cabrera handling third," wrote Fangraphs analyst Davy Andrews. "Adding Kim would allow Chisholm return to third base, which he played quite well last season despite having zero previous experience at the position, with LeMahieu and Cabrera holding down the fort there until Kim is healthy."
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Fangraphs also noted that with $19 million to go before the equal their 2024 payroll total, the Yankees have enough cash to sign Kim.
The former KBO star, who compiled an impressive .921 OPS for the Kiwoon Heroes in the 2020 season, is coming off a four-year, $28 million deal in San Diego. But Spotrac estimates his market value as a free agent at just over $49 million for four years.
The 2023 National League Gold Glove winner is still recovering from shoulder surgery that cut his 2024 season short. He is not expected to be available until at least May of 2025, a circumstance which may bring his price tag down somewhat.
Fangraphs predictions were considerably more generous with Kim, however. Writer Ben Clemens projected Kim would receive a five-year free agent deal for a cool $100 million.
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