9:41am: Sherman now tweets that the Padres are viewed as the favorites for Kim. A deal has not yet been completed, but the two sides have discussed a $7-8MM annual value over a term fewer than six years. If a deal is completed, Kim would step in at second base, with Cronenworth likely moving into the outfield.
9:18am: Kim is on a flight to the United States this morning, per Jee-ho Yoo of South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency. While Daniel Kim of DKTV and ESPN tweets that Kim is headed to the U.S. to take a physical, that doesn’t mean he’s selected a team just yet. Kim needs to be present to complete a physical prior to his posting window closing, so it makes sense that he’s headed to North America at this time.
Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports that the Blue Jays and Padres are considered to be front-runners for Kim, with the Red Sox still looming as a possible but less-likely destination. The Mets and Reds have been “intrigued” by Kim, Sherman adds, but aren’t viewed as favorites to sign him.
8:55am: It’s been less than 12 hours since the Padres agreed to their blockbuster acquisition of Blake Snell in a trade with the Rays, but it seems that’s not the only major roster move general manager A.J. Preller hopes to complete before the New Year. ESPN’s Buster Olney tweets that San Diego is “taking a serious run” at free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who was posted for Major League clubs by the Korea Baseball Organization’s Kiwoom Heroes.
Unlike most stars who are posted for MLB teams to bid on, Kim is squarely in the midst of his prime years. The 25-year-old has been a steady contributor for the Heroes throughout his career but has seen his offensive output explode over the past two seasons, even as the KBO has altered the composition of its ball in an effort to cut back on the league’s extremely hitter-friendly tendencies. Since 2019, Kim has batted .307/.393/.500 with 49 home runs, 62 doubles, three triples and a 56-for-62 showing in stolen base attempts.
The Padres, of course, don’t have a pressing need for an infielder thanks to the presence of Manny Machado at third base, Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop and emergent Jake Cronenworth at second base. Kim, however, has experience at both shortstop and third base, and he’s viewed as a perfectly viable option at second base as well. He could give the Padres — or another club — a versatile super-utility piece who allows them rest their regular infielders a day per week or step into a larger role in the case of an injury. It’s also worth noting that Cronenworth, excellent 2020 debut notwithstanding, still has just 194 Major League plate appearances under his belt.
There’s no clear front-runner for Kim at this point, although his market is nearing its conclusion. His 30-day posting period began on Dec. 2 and must be concluded by Jan. 1 at 5pm ET. The Blue Jays have made an offer of at least five years, and reports out of South Korea have indicated that he has multiple five-year offers in hand. It’s not clear whether the Padres have made a five-year proposal, but chatter surrounding Kim figures to pick up steam over the next few days as bidding for his services draws to a close.
Cronenworth is destined to come back home to Michigan! Turnbull & Candy for Myers, Campusano and Cronenworth
Welp, that was before I recollected Hosmer..
The only way the Padres and Tigers make a trade is if the Tigers take on Myers and Hosmer… The Tigers have nothing worth trading for. Myers, Hosmer Cronenworth for a case of toilet paper.
This frees up cash for the Padres to sign Michael Brantley for LF and Trevor Bauer for the rotation.
that trade does nothing for the Padres
That is a laughable trade. You want the top rated minor league catcher, a rookie of the year versatile player and a right fielder who was among MLB’s best hitters in 2020 for Turnbull and Candy? Ha ha
Specifically for you, LibertyFighter.
Why would the Padres do that? Delusional.
Turnbull is mostly terrible and Candelario is not supplanting Hosmer or Machado at the corners anytime soon. Perhaps if the NL keeps the DH but even then Candelario is not consistent enough offensively to just pay him to hit.
As the article states, not quite sure where Kim fits full time? I hope Preller and Co. aren’t making moves just to create headlines. I personally think a late inning reliever or two would be more important than a pricey utility player.
But I guess making Cronenworth your utility player isn’t that bad an idea either.
If the land Kim, I think the plan might be to play him at 2B, while moving Croneworth to LF, and Pham as the DH/or trade bate to someone else in need of an OF e.i. Cleveland for perhaps more pitching. Maybe a swap of Pham for Carrasco is in the works if they do land Kim.
Perfect lead off guy to match with Tatis Jr. at a 1-2 punch with Machado, Myers, and Hosmer in the heart of the order. I would keep Pham and use him as my clean up guy or the number 6 guy. The question is, is the DH sticking around or not? It all depends on that!
Can’t imagine trading for Pham in an offseason where he got stabbed, but that’s just me.
He got stabbed and we all know that. But how is that his fault? If he is indeed fully recovered, he’s a good addition to any team’s line up.
Not sure where you see one year of a 32 year old Pham, coming off a negative WAR season none the less, getting you three years of Carrasco.
Exactly
Have you seen Carrasco performance lately? He’s not the Carrasco of the days of Amazing Kluber, Clevinger, and Bauer in Cleveland. He’s not that guy anymore and mainly because of his health issues. So it is a very similar trade scenario…..both have health issues, both are earning similar amount of dollars more or less, and both still have potential. In that case for what matters, the Padres can always throw in a pitching prospect to sweeten things up. Going into the 2022 season, the Padres could roster the following rotation.
1.Clevinger
2.Snell
3.Paddack
4.Lamet
5.Carrasco
6.Davies
7.McKenzie Gore
I mean, that would deep. It’ll be a direct respond to the Dodgers assuming all this guys are healthy and perform the way they suppose to. With a line up of;
1.Grisham CF
2.Kim 2B
3.Tatis Jr. SS
4.Machado 3B
5.Hosmer 1B/DH
6.Myers RF
7.Campusano C
8.Nola DH/1B
9.Croneworth LF
And that would be a tough bill to beat…..it’ll be a dog fight between the Padres and Dodgers for that division tittle.
He would presumably fit in like Zobrist did with the Cubs upon his arrival..
Though I don’t think it’s likely, they trade Cronenworth, selling high during a depressed FA market for second baseman could prove fruitful for the Friars, perhaps for an outfielder that wouldn’t make them dependent on Myers.
I wouldn’t be shocked if they were interested in Realmuto, either, who would allow Nola to be used in a utility role.
Lot of different directions they could go, but they could simply be beefing up and preparing for injuries and/or regression.
If they sign Kim, it likely means they don’t sign Profar
Nobody makes moves just to create headlines.
I actually do make moves just to create headlines, but the local “journalists” apparently don’t think my fantasy team is “newsworthy”
The Odd Rays traded with the Pod Rays. Now they’re trying to walk Kim to load their bases. This will Prop Preller for a take-off season next year!
Go sit in the corner and think about what you’ve done here.
I sorry.
Lol
Kim is apparently en route to the States for a physical. Seems like he’s already made his decision. https://twitter.com/DanielKimW/status/1343495033031282688
sorry but two flights left Seoul the other one was not going to the states but to Toronto
My point is less about which city he’s flying to and more that “taking a serious run” at this point seems futile, or late reporting. He’s made his decision already and is flying stateside for a physical, whether it’s with SD or with someone else.
Posted players typically fly to the U.S. a few days prior to finalizing a deal. He’d need to be in North America to complete a physical, so it makes sense to get to here a few days in advance.
He may well make a decision today, but a flight to the U.S. is not indicative of a deal being agreed upon.
Why would he want to play for Chorono?
Seems like a fit, no? Jays have lots of money available and a good young core, Toronto has a big Korean population, and their ace is a rockstar in South Korea who was apparently trying to recruit Kim when they met up earlier this month.
someone from ICN has witnessed that Kim got on KE91 at 930am (South Korea time). This flight is scheduled to be arrived @ Boston at 845am (Sunday). Interesting!!!!
cowboysmavs_fan posted the Dallas-Fortworth flight, Daniel Kim posted the Toronto flight. Daniel’ reply to cowboysmavs_fan was “Another possibility”
I believe Preller still has a home in the Dallas area. Don’t quote me. It’s possible they are conducting the physical in the Dallas area if he is there.
Or he’s flying north of the border to meet the Jays.
Maybe it’s nothing but Daniel Kim came out of nowhere and was front and centre for breaking Ryu to Toronto and seems to be very well connected to the KBO and reporting the Kim/Toronto connections to this point.
Yep. Besides, Kim could be heading to Florida and specifically Dunedin for all we know.
Mets should be all over him. It won’t kill them if they lose out. That’s the good thing about being filled with talent.
Is there any posts that don’t have to do with the Mets with you? Lol
It’s ok, ’cause even without Ha-Seong Kim, the Mets will go 160-2 and sweep the postseason. And the 2 losses will turn out to be the result of blown calls by the umps.
/s/, in case it wasn’t clear
The Mets are probably the last team in baseball that should be considered as “being filled with talent” Well, except maybe the Orioles, Tigers, and Pirates at least.
5 year offer by the Blue Jays, they must definitely be interested.
If he wanted to go the best team (out of the teams looking at him) the Mets would be the best team to go to.
The Mets better than Padres? Even after they just got Snell? Come on buddy.
Yes they are. I fully expect the Mets to have a better record than Padres next year. A 60 game season isn’t fooling me.
I mean the Mets are certainly moving in the right direction, but they have a ton of question marks. Mainly in terms of defense and starting pitching. Those were their two biggest weaknesses last year, and I think it’s still a huge problem with their current roster. I think the Padres are a better team on paper, but the game isn’t played on paper. So we’ll see.
I don’t agree but we both aren’t changing our mind.
It obviously is. They could actually be worse. That was WITH unsustainable BABIP leader (Conforto .412) & Dom Smith (.368). Still interested to see “the real Dom” after 200 PA/season (which hasn’t happened in 4 MLB years).
“Mets moving in right direction?”
When you finish in last place, there’s only 1 direction.
The “real dom” would be the Braves 3rd best hitter as would many of the Mets hitters… it goes acuna freeman
Many Mets players with Albies somewhere in there and then more Mets players lol .
I also think people tend to forget that Cano was a huge offensive piece for the Mets last year, and he’s gone. So the Mets are certainly no sure thing as of right now, but I fully expect them to get Springer or Bauer.
Sure, if 2020’s pandemic-shortened season were the barometer, and not every season before (or after). Take heed of your own words: “A 60 game season isn’t fooling me.” Seems like it is.
Mets fans here. No doubt the Padres are currently better than the Mets. Long term, though, it.may be up in the air.
@calamity Totally agree with this.
You idiot, the mets could sign Springer and suck. The Mets have been a joke and cant prove themselves. Steve Cohen acting like he a sugardaddy. I guarantee he gonna be quiet if mets stink.
You’re discounting SD’s top farm system (and they’re ability to get premium returns for them, as evidenced by the Clevinger/Snell trades) combined with their ability to spend.
Stop drinking the Cohen kool-aid until he makes more moves than tweets.
You are right. The Padres still have plenty of Prospect capital to get whatever they need at the trade deadline and I still think Preller wants to sign Sugano and Rosenthal. The Padres AAA team is also going to be stacked in case of injuries
Mets22 always looks past defense it means nothing to him. That’s one I’ve never seen him truly acknowledge about his world beater Mets:defense
But it’s made you delusional.
Albies is preferable to any Mets position player. If you think otherwise then you just don’t follow the game.
It might come down to playing time and where he will play. Not to mention $$$. Give the Pads credit for being aggressive.
FIrst time seeing this account?
Mets22 name could be hidden and I would know majority of its posts, consistancy points at least
Add in a few more typos, splash yourself in some stale beer, add in a David Wright jersey and an occasional rat stealing your nacho and you have the Citi Field experience in a post, so thank you, MetsFan22 for that.
Damn everything Mets with you and I’m an Indians fan and don’t hear me saying we’re getting this or we will be the best in the division! Please donk get a life and pray your team doesn’t get another cano. I understand my team is limited financially but damn don’t spend the money and say we’re the best! There’s multiple if not more that spend less and there farm system is something that teams like yours could only dream of
Well not much to talk about with the Indians lol.
Scott, can you include a little more punctuation please? Your post is hard to understand.
The Mets are not even close to being better than the Padres or the Blue Jays. you’re absolutely delusional.
If he doesn’t agree by Jan 1 does he go back to Korea?
Sounds right
they can post him again i think unless they changed that
Yes, I believe so.
Pain.
Ryu will help get this done for the Jays.
thanks Sherman. the teams known to have made offers arw frontrunners. smh cant believe people read these peoples’ articles.
Sherman’s a putz
I believe we will have a “Kim to Toronto” post in the next 48hrs.
Isn’t Kim Manny Machado’s brother in law?
This post is golden Bob
Btw, shouldn’t there be 5 teams that have already made an offer? Or is that rumor just trash now?
Nah, it’s in the article. I bet we are one of them.
Bryce Harper traded to tigers. I heard a rumor for Casey Mize and Spencer Torkleson on reddit
What GIF was accompanying it?
What you mean. It was on a subreddit called ESPN is fake.
No way I do that if I were the Tigers!
Reddit dont lie
The Padres seem intent on picking up square pegs for their round holes.
Wow could you imagine if they get him!!!!?
If Padres sign Kim Pham probably gets moved or cut.
Cleveland, but Cleveland doesn’t really have salary matching or a change of scenery guy.
Texas could opt to do a Kyle Gibson for Tommy Pham trade. Gibson is making 10 mill this year (2 more than Pham) and 7 mill next year. Padres need pitching and both could potentially use a change of scenery.
Pham to the Orioles for Alex Cobb and cash. Cobbs making 15 mill this year so cash would need to be sent to make the salaries similar (or prospects).
Doubtful, we need the innings out of Gibson and we don’t need an outfielder. Our outfield is basically set.
For Texas, I saw him more as a DH now that Choo is gone.
I’m operating on the premise there isn’t universal DH in 2021.
If there is universal DH Padres either keep Pham to DH, or Myers and Pham in the OF, or trade him to a team that needs OF or a DH.
F.
I must be the only one who thinks Cronenworth is a bit over-hyped. He is an OBP guy at best, with very little raw power. Decent fielder, but nothing spectacular.
Kim might not be better, but this idea that the Padres seem ‘set’ at second seems a bit outlandish to me. It was almost like the Braves being set with ‘Camargo’ at third two years ago. In fact, the Braves had more reason to believe Camargo would continue his pace as he played 1.25 MLB seasons at a good clip, not just 54 games.
I wish all the best for Cronenworth, and the fact he brings what should be above replacement value at a good price is a huge chip in his favor. I just don’t see him as a roadblock to trying to get better at that position if possible.
Padres chill out
I mean they will need a Tatis replacement but not for another 4 years. This signing makes no sense to me.
They already have the top SS prospect in MLB in CJ Abrams
SS’s are the best athletes on the field and can play many positions.
Well looks like I’m back on the Springer train then.
Has there ever been a successful transition from KBO to MLB from a hitter?
Kang hit really well his first two years before he turned into a total train wreck of life
Phillies sure don’t need an infielder or anything………
Cronenworth wildly overrated based on tiny sample, Kim also a huge unknown.
Better bang for your bucks available in FA market.
I’m not quite getting the excitement either. There are some MLB washouts in the KBO that have done quite well. And there are some good players on our side that I think supply a little more certainty. Kim could be good, but if I am looking for a SS, I’d prefer a shorter term with Simmons or Didi.
I swear, the Jays are going to be left holding a bag of money with nobody to spend it on. They will lose out on all the top free agents and will not be able to trade for anyone significant. This really fukking sucks rhino dick
Haha! 🙂
I’m available for said bag of money.
For what it’s worth, about 30 minutes before Sherman’s tweet Daniel Kim (ESPN KBO insider) tweeted that he still sees the Blue Jays as the front-runners because he doesn’t expect Ha-Seong Kim to want to play a position other than SS or 3B. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
They could move Tatis to 2B and Cronenworth to an OF spot. He makes a lot of flashy plays, but he isn’t that great of a defensive shortstop, although it seems like a bit of a waste to put a guy who has a 70-80 grade arm at second base.
Small sample size, but in 2020 Tatis was a lot better at defense than 2019 Tatis. UZR and DRS were both positive. On the eye test he cut down on throwing errors and just generally looked smoother out there.
He might not be Ozzie Smith “great”, but he’s probably in the top 1o in the league when it comes to defense at SS right now. I also don’t think you can justify moving his arm to the left side of the infield.
He could still be “shopping”. Over a week before he has to sign, if he wants to play MLB.
It’s only 4 days before he has to sign. His deadline is January 1st. You’re probably thinking of the Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano, whose deadline is January 7th. But yes, still a little time left to “shop,” but not much.
I’m seeing him posted Dec 7.
Officially?
Why would the Red Sox be interested if he has a five year deal on the table if Jeter Downs is expected to be ready next year? I read elsewhere a deal is actually made but the hold up is he wants language preventing him from going to the minors.
Yeah I was wondering that myself. Maybe they think Jeter Downs needs more time in the minor leagues.
Come on Pads! Pick up the phone and call Cash and ask if Stanton is available. We will give him an oil change and put him in some new shiny shoes and we PROMISE he won’t break down.
*disclaimer: the above statement enacts no guarantees thank you for participating in HR, K & IL specialists*
Dang, I really thought Ryu could pull him North….Padres are legit, playoff clashes between L.A. & S.D. should be epic for the foreseeable future
Cronenworth plays enough positions that the Padres won’t have a hard time getting him in the lineup every day. Tingler should have him play all three Outfield spots in spring training and increase his versatility even more.
Padres are either setting themselves up for an amazing run, or an epic fail. On one hand we saw this a few years ago with the acquisitions of Kemp, the Upton’s, Shields, Norris. Hopefully this time goes better because i would love to see the Padres actually be relevant for more than a year here or there
Padres got names and made an incomplete team.
They got a agreement with the padres
Bloom comes up short again !!!! Day late and a dollar short. We’re in on him like everyone and we come up short. Tired of this bs act with this guy. Team needs starting pitching, a closer, relief pitching and a utility guy since last season. So far it is 3 days from New Years and we need starting pitching, a closer, relief pitching, a second baseman, and a utility player. Great Job Bloom! The only thing you have done so far is trade our best player for one established player and two prospects.
Sale is recovering from Surgery and will not be here to start the season, EROD is coming off Medical issues , and Eovaldi has a history of arm injury.
#umadbro
The Red Sox were never in on Kim so Bloom didn’t come up short on this one.
They were interested in him! Is Bloom going to to anything this Winter or are we just going to invite a bunch of released players to Spring Training and hope something sticks.
Very impressed with the Padres offseason this far. Would the defense be better suited with Tatis at 2B and Kim at SS?
Preller has literally said that they would have to acquire a “Hall of Fame type shortstop” to even have the conversation about moving Tatis off the position.