Yankees, Giants top fits for ex-Padres free agent, per MLB insider

MLB insider Robert Murray believes that the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants will offer a good fit for Korean infielder Ha-Seong Kim, an unsigned free agent after completing his four-year, $28 million, contract with the San Diego Padres last season.

Murray thinks Ha-Seong Kim would be a positive addition for the New York Yankees, as their general manager Brian Cashman has been looking for an infielder this offseason. He said that new San Francisco Giants president Buster Posey also wants to do the same. So, Murray feels the market demand is still there for Kim due to his defensive versatility.

Murray, an MLB contributor for FanSided, sad on The Baseball Insiders podcast on Wednesday spoke about the free agency of Ha-Seong Kim (21:10 - 23:49).

"I do think the Yankees make sense here, for sure. I thought they've made sense for a good part of the off-season because they've been looking for another infielder and he can play all over the place," Murray said. "Have I heard the Yankees have connected with him? No. That does not mean that they're not in.

"I think he makes sense for the Giants, even after getting a guy like Willy Adames, just because they need a lot of help there in the infield," Murray added. "One thing that Buster Posey did tell myself and other reporters at the winter meetings is that one of his big priorities is up the middle. So, we'll see if they're willing to find a spot for Kim in San Francisco."

The Giants signed shortstop Willy Adames to a seven-year, $182 million, deal this offseason.

"His market should be hot": Robert Murray on Yankees, Giants vying for Ha-Seong Kim

Ha-Seong Kim played four seasons in the MLB with the San Diego Padres (Image Source: Imagn)

Robert Murray is confident that Ha-Seong Kim will be signed by an MLB team before the start of the 2025 season.

Murray believes there will always be a strong demand for Kim from widely different teams, like the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants, due to his ability to slot into any infield position.

"There's always going to be place for a guy who's versatile and has the ability that Kim has," Murray said. "With his ability and his versatility, his market should be hot."

Ha-Seong Kim enjoyed his best MLB campaign in 2023, batting 260/.351/.398 with 17 home runs and 60 RBIs. He also won a Gold Glove at second base and finished 14th in the MVP race.

About the author

Paranjoy Goswami (Bobo) is a baseball reporter at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience writing with publications such as Eagle Bet, India Bet and Paradine.

He has provided full coverage, match previews and betting tips on major tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, English Premier League, German Bundesliga, ICC World Cup, Indian Premier League and several others.

Bobo grew up supporting the Red Sox but has also been on the Phillies bandwagon for the past couple of years. He also roots for the St. Louis Cardinals and Seattle Mariners.

While he hasn't played much baseball, Bobo's fascination with the sport started with an 8-bit Nintendo game, where he picked up the basic rules. He started watching live MLB matches on TV about 20 years ago and his love for baseball just grew by leaps and bounds from then on.

Bobo's favorite player was probably Tim Wakefield as not only was he the best knuckleball pitcher of his time, but he was also a Red Sox legend, an outstanding team player and a great human being. Among the current generation, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Scherzer and Bryce Harper get the nod.

Bobo's favorite moment in baseball history was when the Red Sox beat the Yankees before breaking their World Series curse in 2004. That said, Jackie Robinson's breaking the color barrier was the most important.

Outside of baseball, Bobo's interests include literature, comics, world history, science fiction, satire, classic movies, PC games, pets, playing sports, cycling, traveling, sightseeing and quiet reflection.

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Edited by Bhargav