Ha-Seong Kim of the San Diego Padres declines the mutual option and becomes a free agent

Infielder Ha-Seong Kim has declined his joint option with the San Diego Padres, Dennis Lin of The Athletic first reported Saturday.

The Padres certainly would have received their share of the option if Kim had opted in, considering she was only worth $8 million for the 2025 season. Instead, Kim will receive a $2 million buyout and become a free agent.

Kim signed a four-year, $28 million contract with the Padres before the 2021 season, leaving the Korean Baseball Organization behind.

Kim played 117 games in his rookie year and batted .202 with a .622 OPS, but was able to post a WAR of 2.1 thanks to his dynamic defensive efforts at shortstop, second base and third base. The Padres made Kim their full-time shortstop in 2022, then moved him back to a utility role with the signing of Xander Bogaerts for 2023.

Kim was awarded a Gold Glove this season, becoming the first Korean player ever to receive this honor. Kim also took a leap forward on offense, hitting .260 with 17 home runs, 60 RBI, 38 stolen bases, a .749 OPS and 5.8 WAR en route to a 14th-place finish in the NL MVP race.

In 2024, Kim took over the shortstop position again as Bogaerts grew older, but his season ended in August due to a right shoulder injury. He underwent surgery on October 10th and is expected to be back by mid-April.

The 29-year-old finished last season batting .233, with 11 home runs, 47 RBI, 22 stolen bases, an OPS of .700 and a WAR of 2.6 in 121 games.

Kim switched agents in October, signing with Boras Corporation before entering free agency. He will certainly be one of the best center fielders on the open market alongside Milwaukee Brewers shortstop Willy Adames and his former KBO teammate Hye-Seong Kim should he be drafted.

According to Spotrac, Ha-Seong Kim's four-year market value is currently $49.1 million. The Padres are already paying Bogaerts, Manny Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. a total of $63 million in 2025. So it remains to be seen how much they are willing to bid for Kim's services in the future.

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