Compromising on Shortstop: Trading for Ha Seong-Kim

[Peter Labuza]

In determining the next steps for the Twins shortstop position, many fans are still trying to process what a Correa-less position would hope for. The options seem to be convincing the front office to open up the bank vault or settling for another year of fill-ins with the hope prospects finally deliver.

Image courtesy of Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

 

Ha-Seong Kim, the KBO legend who had a breakout 2022 season in San Diego, is the perfect medium. Now with Xander Bogaerts in place, the Padres might have one too many infielders and be on the look out for a trade with needs they still hope to fit. Kim might make for a neat departure to Minnesota.

Kim’s MLB ascent never felt like destiny. He signed with the Padres on a four-year deal at the same time the team had given Fernando Tatis Jr. a contract to essentially play shortstop for the next decade. That first year, Kim moved around the diamond playing second and third base but eventually fell into the role of shortstop after a shoulder injury pushed Tatis to the outfield.  

Like most players coming from Asian leagues, Kim at first struggled to adjust to big-league pitching, hitting just above the Mendoza Line (.200) and lacking the kind of power that made him one of Korea’s most dominant players. But Kim got a major opportunity in 2022 after Tatis, who was already looking at a more permanent position in the outfield, failed to return to the field first due to a motorcycle accident and then a PED suspension. Kim adjusted his swing, hitting a respectable .251/.325/.383 for a 105 WRC+. He perhaps lacked the power that defines so many of the league’s best bats, but spent the year honing his plate discipline to avoid chasing the ball and simply getting on base. He also stole a dozen bases—more than anyone with the Twins last year, and likely to be an essential skill in next year’s pitch clock environment.

More so, every night in San Diego he put on a defensive clinic. Although defensive metrics for baseball remain somewhat nebulous, he posted a 10.0 Defensive WAR, over twice what Kyle Farmer and Correa managed last year (this may just speak to the weakness of those decisions).

The Padres have Kim for another two years and a mutual option in 2025, but AJ Preller seems determined to lock up every superstar he can get his hands on. That might make their needs change. While it is possible that Kim flips back over the second base or occasionally fills for Manny Machado, the org may be on the lookout for other possible holes to fill instead that the Twins might be able to provide.

Kim’s contract is perfect for the Twins. Elite defense is always needed, and if Kim continues to improve against big league pitching, he could fit in nicely in the heart of the order (and speaking of clutch: Kim was a major player for the Padres' unlikely playoff wins against both the Mets and the Dodgers at a time in which neither Machado nor Juan Soto did much damage). 

More so, the big question mark remains what a timeline for either Royce Lewis or Brooks Lee might look like. With Kyle Farmer, you pray that Lewis is ready as soon as he can get on his feet. But with Kim under control for two years, you might actually have time to let Lewis loosen up while also perhaps already ceding that ground to Lee if his timeline continues. With both Farmer and Kim, the Twins can mix and match as well as platoon throughout the infield.

Given recent blockbuster contracts for not just superstars but even mid-rotation pitchers, the Twins should just realize if they do not plan on dumping money on Correa’s front lawn, they are likely to miss on every free agent pitcher this year. Spending real money should remain the organization’s goal, but if they genuinely care about being creative instead, Kim could be an interesting middle ground to avoid one-year contracts and give genuine time to develop the rookies.

 

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[miracleb]

hmmmm....I could get behind this!

[LonelyseatinMOA]

I really liked him last year, would not be mad if it happened. Just don't know how it would 

[chpettit19]

My guess is San Diego doesn't see themselves as having too many in fielders and Kim slides over to 2B with Cronenworth moving to 1B as they pair with the left side of Machado and Bogaerts. I also don't see Kim as a big enough improvement on Farmer to really make it worth it. If the Twins aren't getting Correa, or similar star level player, at SS I don't see why they'd spend much time trying to sign Iglesias or trade for Kim or whatever other mid-level SS people want them to get when they already have a mid-level guy in Farmer to cover until Lewis is back. Only reason to get a non-star level SS is if they don't think either Lewis or Lee are capable of being their SS of the future. Lewis looked ready to me, and I'd prefer they use resources elsewhere if they can't bring back Correa. Farmer is good enough to cover SS until June when Lewis can take over. Go get a C, right handed OF bat, or arms if you can't get Correa. Unless you plan to move Polanco, Kim doesn't make the team significantly better.

[BK432]

While I think the Pads might trade Kim, I'm also not convinced they will. Like @chpettit19 said, it's likely they will slide Kim over with Cronenworth on the right side of the infield. Of course, if the Pads go sign a 1B, then I'll circle back here and revise.

Would I be open to it? Absolutely - he's a great defender and an adequate hitter. But I sure hope they get Correa.

[Paul Walerius]

10 minutes ago, BK432 said:

While I think the Pads might trade Kim, I'm also not convinced they will. Like @chpettit19 said, it's likely they will slide Kim over with Cronenworth on the right side of the infield. Of course, if the Pads go sign a 1B, then I'll circle back here and revise.

Would I be open to it? Absolutely - he's a great defender and an adequate hitter. But I sure hope they get Correa.

Did Correa provide enough to warrant a 300-400M contract?   Minus the power I would say it would be worth the trade if you can save the money and bring in a Rodón or some stud pitching.   Defensively I don't know if we lose anything.   

[mnfireman]

I don't see SD trading Kim this off-season because Machado can, and probably will, opt out of his contract after next season. He could surprise everyone and elect to not opt out, like Arrenado, but Machado doesn't impress me as a team-first kind of guy.

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

I like this trade but as always, it depends how much we give up.  It may be a good fall back option when we do not get CC.

[JD-TWINS]

If Correa was/is the hopeful answer at SS, & Farmer’s defense is in the same range, why trade for better defense? We have 3 options at SS in the farm system - one will be ready by sometime in 2024 worst case.

Spend $ on SP - Bassitt! Catcher! Relief pitcher!!

Keep $ to extend Maeda, Gray, &/or Mahle based on performance during the year…..extend during the year as possible.

[Dave The Dastardly]

Loved the article. Well put. Any relation to Lalla?

[garn from vancouver]

for once my twitter post did something... well, i suppose i had zero, or less than zero, to do with this article but i did mention last week after they signed xander that we should look at kim instead of waiting with bated breath to see what correa is going to do.

[Doctor Gast]

7 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

My guess is San Diego doesn't see themselves as having too many in fielders and Kim slides over to 2B with Cronenworth moving to 1B as they pair with the left side of Machado and Bogaerts. I also don't see Kim as a big enough improvement on Farmer to really make it worth it. If the Twins aren't getting Correa, or similar star level player, at SS I don't see why they'd spend much time trying to sign Iglesias or trade for Kim or whatever other mid-level SS people want them to get when they already have a mid-level guy in Farmer to cover until Lewis is back. Only reason to get a non-star level SS is if they don't think either Lewis or Lee are capable of being their SS of the future. Lewis looked ready to me, and I'd prefer they use resources elsewhere if they can't bring back Correa. Farmer is good enough to cover SS until June when Lewis can take over. Go get a C, right handed OF bat, or arms if you can't get Correa. Unless you plan to move Polanco, Kim doesn't make the team significantly better.

 Cronenworth is a capable SS if you move him to 1B it'll a terrible mismanagement of talent. SD has multiple options at SS, if you offer SD a solution to a need they'd be stupid not to jump on it.

Farmer is nothing but a floor, a SS option to bat against LHPs. Farmer against RHPs is terrible, what % of RHPs do the Twins face during the year? 70%? it has to be close. That's a lot of terrible, to compensate for. And do we have anyone to sub Miranda, Farmer & Polanco? my opinion nobody close. What is Miranda going to be like? IMO our greatest hole is at SS, if we sign Correa, great the hole is filled if we don't the hole is still there, bigger than ever. Signing someone like Kim preempts all other holes even catching. If this is ignored the Twins will be unwatchable no matter how big a RH bat they get, SP or Jeffers platoon.

[chpettit19]

2 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

 Cronenworth is a capable SS if you move him to 1B it'll a terrible mismanagement of talent. SD has multiple options at SS, if you offer SD a solution to a need they'd be stupid not to jump on it.

Farmer is nothing but a floor, a SS option to bat against LHPs. Farmer against RHPs is terrible, what % of RHPs do the Twins face during the year? 70%? it has to be close. That's a lot of terrible, to compensate for. And do we have anyone to sub Miranda, Farmer & Polanco? my opinion nobody close. What is Miranda going to be like? IMO our greatest hole is at SS, if we sign Correa great the hole is filled if we don't the hole is still there bigger than ever. Signing someone like Kim preempts all other holes even catching.

How is moving Cronenworth to 1B terrible mismanagement of talent? The ideal IF is 4 SSs so you're above average defensively at every position. Terrible mismanagement of talent is having players play positions too high on the defensive ladder, not too low. A CFer playing LF is a plus while a LFer playing CF is a minus. Moving him down the ladder just improves their defensive strength. 

Ha-Seong Kim had 1 fewer PA than Kyle Farmer last year. He had 4 fewer hits, but 18 more walks. He had 3 fewer HRs, but 4 more doubles. He scored the exact same number of runs. Struck out 1 extra time. Hit .252 compared to Farmers .255. Beat Farmer in OBP .325 to .315, but lost in slugging .386 to .383. He had 4 fewer total bases. Tell me how that's a significant improvement on Farmer? That's my point. They're almost exactly the same hitter. All getting Kim does is strengthen the floor in that you now have 2 of the exact same hitter who can play 2B, 3B, or SS. Kim is a better fielder, but he's no better hitter. That's my entire point. I want someone who's better than Kyle Farmer if I'm going to make getting a SS a priority. Trading for the exact same guy does nothing but improve their backup infielder. That's pretty low on my priority list. Like way at the bottom.

[Linus]

37 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

How is moving Cronenworth to 1B terrible mismanagement of talent? The ideal IF is 4 SSs so you're above average defensively at every position. Terrible mismanagement of talent is having players play positions too high on the defensive ladder, not too low. A CFer playing LF is a plus while a LFer playing CF is a minus. Moving him down the ladder just improves their defensive strength. 

Ha-Seong Kim had 1 fewer PA than Kyle Farmer last year. He had 4 fewer hits, but 18 more walks. He had 3 fewer HRs, but 4 more doubles. He scored the exact same number of runs. Struck out 1 extra time. Hit .252 compared to Farmers .255. Beat Farmer in OBP .325 to .315, but lost in slugging .386 to .383. He had 4 fewer total bases. Tell me how that's a significant improvement on Farmer? That's my point. They're almost exactly the same hitter. All getting Kim does is strengthen the floor in that you now have 2 of the exact same hitter who can play 2B, 3B, or SS. Kim is a better fielder, but he's no better hitter. That's my entire point. I want someone who's better than Kyle Farmer if I'm going to make getting a SS a priority. Trading for the exact same guy does nothing but improve their backup infielder. That's pretty low on my priority list. Like way at the bottom.

This is the point. He’s not much better than Farmer and we can’t trade our way out of this mess. The farm has already taken a hit. 

[Doctor Gast]

Our biggest hole is at SS. If we sign Correa, great the hole is filled and we have Farmer to fill in around the INF. If we don't sign Correa, the hole is still there. It didn't magically disappear where can start focusing on minor problems. 

Farmer can't come close to fill that hole offensively. Then we don't have anyone to sub our INFers. Lewis won't be ready until maybe Aug. & then IDK how much playing he can handle. IDK how Miranda will handle 3B, will Arraez be able sub at 3B? If Farmer gets hurt? Do we put Polanco at SS, Gordon at 2B? All these scenarios spells disaster when you have 0 depth.

Hoerner, Kim or Luis Guillorme are acceptable alternative to Correa, they serve a valuable purpose. Hoerner will cost the most in trade & less likely to obtain. Kim wouldn't cost much & shouldn't be too hard to obtain. Guillorme would be cheaper & just as easy to obtain.

Hoerner & Kim were both frustrated SS who took advantage of their opportunities last season. Guillorme profiles as a SS but he's been behind Lindor & playing utility. He's a slick fielder with good hands & a lot of baseball instincts. He's a contact hitter when given a chance to play regularly he can hit pretty well. He had a higher OPS against  righties than Kim. If given a chance Guillorme could prove himself to be a well above SS.

[Mike Sixel]

9 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

My guess is San Diego doesn't see themselves as having too many in fielders and Kim slides over to 2B with Cronenworth moving to 1B as they pair with the left side of Machado and Bogaerts. I also don't see Kim as a big enough improvement on Farmer to really make it worth it. If the Twins aren't getting Correa, or similar star level player, at SS I don't see why they'd spend much time trying to sign Iglesias or trade for Kim or whatever other mid-level SS people want them to get when they already have a mid-level guy in Farmer to cover until Lewis is back. Only reason to get a non-star level SS is if they don't think either Lewis or Lee are capable of being their SS of the future. Lewis looked ready to me, and I'd prefer they use resources elsewhere if they can't bring back Correa. Farmer is good enough to cover SS until June when Lewis can take over. Go get a C, right handed OF bat, or arms if you can't get Correa. Unless you plan to move Polanco, Kim doesn't make the team significantly better.

100% this

[nicksaviking]

Doesn’t interest me. Kyle Farmer isn’t popular around here, but that’s only because we all wanted better shortstops and were frightened that this was the best we’d get.

Offensively, these are the same two players. I don’t need to trade for another one.

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Doesn’t interest me. Kyle Farmer isn’t popular around here, but that’s only because we all wanted better shortstops and were frightened that this was the best we’d get.

Offensively, these are the same two players. I don’t need to trade for another one.

Agreed

[Wizard11]

As a SD resident my take is that the Padres would be more likely to trade Tatis than Kim.  It sounds crazy but at this time Tatis is loathed locally and the Padres are well past their comfort level on payroll.  Kim is loved by local fans for his all out effort and cheerful attitude.  I don’t think either will be traded though.

[Minny505]

29 minutes ago, Wizard11 said:

As a SD resident my take is that the Padres would be more likely to trade Tatis than Kim.  It sounds crazy but at this time Tatis is loathed locally and the Padres are well past their comfort level on payroll.  Kim is loved by local fans for his all out effort and cheerful attitude.  I don’t think either will be traded though.

I don't think the Tatis contract is moveable without SD picking up a large portion, which kind of defeats the purpose of trading him. 

That said, if Preller will pick up a chunk of the contract, take it down 80mil total, to 20AAV or so, I'm in. 12/260 seems well worth it.

If the fanbase was willing to embrace Correa, then Tatis won't have a problem. He'd make a killer OFer and SS insurance should Lewis and Lee both need to be moved off the position. 

What Tatis did was just being a stupid kid. What Correa did was much more malicious. 

Do you think Preller would do something like that for Larnach or Kepler? Padres need a corner OFer.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

I don't think the Tatis contract is moveable without SD picking up a large portion, which kind of defeats the purpose of trading him. 

That said, if Preller will pick up a chunk of the contract, take it down 80mil total, to 20AAV or so, I'm in. 12/260 seems well worth it.

If the fanbase was willing to embrace Correa, then Tatis won't have a problem. He'd make a killer OFer and SS insurance should Lewis and Lee both need to be moved off the position. 

What Tatis did was just being a stupid kid. What Correa did was much more malicious. 

Do you think Preller would do something like that for Larnach or Kepler? Padres need a corner OFer.

I think he'd move Tatis for that. Gives them room to sign the guys they really want. 

[SwainZag]

13 minutes ago, Minny505 said:

I don't think the Tatis contract is moveable without SD picking up a large portion, which kind of defeats the purpose of trading him. 

That said, if Preller will pick up a chunk of the contract, take it down 80mil total, to 20AAV or so, I'm in. 12/260 seems well worth it.

If the fanbase was willing to embrace Correa, then Tatis won't have a problem. He'd make a killer OFer and SS insurance should Lewis and Lee both need to be moved off the position. 

What Tatis did was just being a stupid kid. What Correa did was much more malicious. 

Do you think Preller would do something like that for Larnach or Kepler? Padres need a corner OFer.

Why wouldn't they just move Tatis to a corner OF position?  He is a much better hitter than both Larnach and Kepler.  I get the money owed is gigantic over the next 12 years, but the kid is only 23.  He led the league in HR, finished 3rd in MVP voting.  He definitely still has the superstar potential.  

[Wizard11]

[Wizard11]

[Minny505]

1 hour ago, SwainZag said:

Why wouldn't they just move Tatis to a corner OF position?  He is a much better hitter than both Larnach and Kepler.  I get the money owed is gigantic over the next 12 years, but the kid is only 23.  He led the league in HR, finished 3rd in MVP voting.  He definitely still has the superstar potential.  

Because baseball is more than numbers and it sounds like the whole clubhouse has turned against him. He's toxic in San Diego. 

That would be the reason for the trade. As the SD local @Wizard11put it, Preller is more likely to trade Tatis than Kim. A strong, but possibly accurate, statement.

In trading Tatis, the Padres get rid of a clubhouse cancer and free up 20mil+ a season, to spend in other areas of need, such as a Machado extension, a bat upgrade to get the majority of DH reps, or more pitching depth.

No doubt Tatis is a superior talent with MVP potential, but like the trade of Roberto Osuna, Kyle Loshe, Matt Garza, etc, sometimes a team just needs to trade a guy, even if the value of the return is not near enough for the talent. Other things matter to some teams. 

I do suspect it would take more than Larnach and/or Kepler. It would certainly become a bidding war by teams and MLB ready talent likely wins out against upside due to the competitive cycle the Padres are in.