April 8, 2025
Tampa Bay Rays infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is reportedly doing well in his rehab from offseason shoulder surgery last October to fix a torn labrum in his right shoulder. "He's doing very, very good. Took ground balls yesterday off the new clay that we have in place," manager Kevin Cash said. The 29-year-old didn't play in any games in spring training, but he was throwing, hitting and taking ground balls by the end of camp. He originally was hoping to make his Rays debut before the end of April, but since he has yet to embark on a minor-league rehab assignment, it's likely we won't see Kim for the first time in Tampa until early May. Once Kim is officially activated from the IL, he's expected to serve as the Ray's everyday shortstop. The South Korean is unlikely to repeat his breakout season in 2023 with the Padres, but at the very least he should be a nice source of steals as a middle infielder in deep-mixed and AL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: Bally Sports Florida - Ryan Bass
January 29, 2025
Free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) and the Tampa Bay Rays agreed to a two-year, $29 million deal on Wednesday that includes an opt-out clause after the first season, sources told ESPN's Jeff Passan. Kim is coming off labrum surgery but is expected to return in May and is slated to take over at shortstop for the Rays when he's ready to make his 2025 debut. Fantasy managers are going to be skeptical, and rightfully so, especially coming off shoulder surgery. It's a fair bet that the 29-year-old South Korean native's 2023 season with the San Diego Padres -- when he hit .260/.351/.398 with 17 homers, 60 RBI and 38 steals -- is his high-water mark. He dropped down to a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 homers, 47 RBI and 22 steals in 121 games last year. Kim is a nice source of speed, but coming off injury and going to a much weaker lineup in Tampa, his fantasy stock will be down considerably.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: ESPN.com - Jeff Passan
January 26, 2025
According to Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim remains a target for the Detroit Tigers. Petzold noted that the team continues to view him as a possible "fallback" option if the team fails to sign
Alex Bregman. However, Bregman remains Detroit's top priority. Kim is not expected to be ready for Opening Day as he is still recovering from shoulder surgery. The Houston Astros have re-emerged as potential favorites to plan Bregman as contract talks have resumed, and the team recently traded relief pitcher
Ryan Pressly to open salary. Last season, Kim posted a .233/.330/.370 line with 11 home runs and 22 stolen bases. He showed an elite eye at the plate with a 16.4% K rate and a 12.3% walk rate.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Evan Petzold
January 15, 2025
MLB Network's Jon Morosi reports that free-agent infielder
Ha-Seong Kim (shoulder) is unlikely to be ready for Opening Day after having surgery to fix the labrum in his right shoulder. However, Kim should be game-ready at some point in the first half of the 2025 campaign. It explains why his free-agent market has developed slowly this offseason and why he still remains available. Morosi mentions the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants as possibilities to sign Kim. San Fran signed
Willy Adames to play shortstop but could have an opening if
Tyler Fitzgerald doesn't pan out in his first full season. The M's signed
Donovan Solano recently, but they could want to add Kim for more infield depth. The 29-year-old will have eligibility at SS, but his mediocre power and injury make him a big question mark in fantasy after he hit just .233 with 11 homers and 47 RBI in 2024. At the very least, Kim will retain value for his speed -- 60 steals in the last two seasons.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: MLB Network - Jon Morosi
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