Kim Ha-seong Declines $8 Million Option, Enters Free Agency: What’s Next for the San Diego Star?

Ha-seong Kim (29) appeared on the free agent market as expected. The San Diego team reported on the 3rd, “Ha-seong Kim declined to exercise the $8 million option.”

Ha-seong Kim signed a contract with San Diego in 2021 with a contract period of 4+1 years, a guaranteed amount of $28 million, and a maximum of $39 million. The ‘+1 year contract’ is a ‘mutually agreed option’ to play with an annual salary of $8 million in 2025, and will only come into effect when the club and Kim Ha-seong agree. However, Ha-seong Kim decided to enter the free agent market after receiving a $2 million buyout, which was a ‘farewell’.

This was an expected result. Even before the start of the 2024 season, local media expected Ha-seong Kim to decline the option and focus on the free agent market. The Athletics expected free agent Kim Ha-seong’s contract size at the beginning of the season to be ‘an annual average of $20 million, with a total value of more than $100 million.’

On this day, MLB.com reported, “This is not surprising news,” and “Kim Ha-seong underwent surgery to repair his right shoulder labrum, and may miss the start of the 2025 season “But he’s a shortstop with great hitting and great defense.” He said, “There is a high possibility that Kim Ha-seong will sign a multi-year contract in the free agent market. “

Ha-seong Kim injured his shoulder during a game against Colorado on August 19 and ended up on the operating table. For this reason, the forecast is still slightly lower than the expected free agent level before the season.

Sportrack projected Kim Ha-seong’s worth at a total of $49.11 million over four years. This is an average annual amount of about $12.28 million. Sportrack said, “This is an estimate based on the contract details of four infielders of the same age and movements similar to Kim Ha-seong.”

The Athletic ranked Kim Ha-seong as one of the top 11 free agents and predicted, “If it wasn’t for the shoulder problem, a six-year contract would have been possible for an average of $30 million a year,” and “could sign a one-year deal and then aim for a multi-year deal again next year.” MLB.com ranked him slightly lower, at 17th.

It is also possible to return to his original team, San Diego. MLB.com said, “Kim Ha-seong is a fan favorite in San Diego thanks to his outfield style of play,” and added, “Kim Ha-seong, who put up an average batting of 0.242, bottom line. .326 percentage, and a .380 slugging percentage over four years in San Diego, also feel good about the team. General manager AJ Preeller also said in a recent interview that he hoped that​​​​​​​Kim Ha-seong would stay.

However, a short-term deal with San Diego is expected to be more likely than a multi-year deal. The San Diego Union Tribune reported, “If Ha-seong Kim doesn’t get the contract he wants in the free agent market, he may agree to a short-term deal with San Diego.” ” The calculation is that if the contract does not go smoothly due to a shoulder injury, he can aim for a big contract after proving his skills again in an experienced team.