The New York Yankees’ efforts to rebuild their roster following Juan Soto’s departure are still ongoing, with General Manager Brian Cashman and his team needing to add an infielder to complete the lineup. Acquiring Ha-Seong Kim could be the perfect solution to solidify Aaron Boone’s everyday infield.
Currently, the Yankees would have to rely on veteran DJ LeMahieu to start at either second or third base. Jazz Chisholm could also fill one of those spots but would likely return to second base if LeMahieu is in the lineup.
However, LeMahieu’s performance last season was one of the worst among MLB hitters, and betting on a significant rebound in 2025 isn’t a reliable strategy for the team.
According to Chris Kirschner of The Athletic, Cashman should target Ha-Seong Kim in free agency. Kim’s market has been slow due to a shoulder injury that will likely keep him out until the early part of the season, which could present an opportunity for the Yankees to secure him on a more affordable deal.
Kim would be an ideal replacement for Gleyber Torres in the Yankees’ infield. While he lacks Torres’ power, he excels in almost every other aspect of the game.
Ha Seong Kim
Kim is a strong fielder at both middle infield positions and would form an elite double-play duo with Anthony Volpe, providing a significant boost to the Yankees’ defense.
An often-overlooked aspect of Kim’s game is his speed. He stole 22 bases for the Padres last year and is considered a strong baserunner—a skill that Torres lacked, contributing to his departure from New York.
Whether the Yankees are willing to meet Kim’s contract demands remains to be seen, but his skill set perfectly fits the team’s needs. It’s possible Kim could even be the Yankees’ leadoff hitter in 2025.
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