The Padres shortstop situation has become even more topsy-turvy.
Ha-Seong Kim’s situation heading into the 2024-25 offseason is rather complex. The San Diego Padres maintain a mutual option for next season that will pay Kim $7 million and contains a $2 million buyout. In short, the Padres have a $5 million decision to make in the coming days, as Kim’s option will need to be exercised shortly after the World Series if the Padres intend to keep the shortstop in San Diego next season.
On the flip side, Kim could always decide to decline his end of the option and enter free agency this offseason; something many baseball experts expect him to do. However, Kim’s season-ending shoulder injury, which has since required surgery, undoubtedly complicates things.
Padres President of Baseball Operations AJ Preller provides Ha-Seong Kim injury update
AJ Preller held a virtual press conference this week and addressed a number of topics, one of which was Kim’s injury and contract status heading into the offseason. After suffering a torn labrum, Kim’s rehab process will be somewhat arduous.
According to Preller, Kim is expected to begin a throwing program as early as next spring, but it could be into May, June, or even July before he returns to the field. There’s always a chance that he could return sooner, but a possible midseason timetable definitely muddles his contract situation.
AJ Preller was asked about Ha-Seong Kim’s timeline for recovering from labrum surgery and how the injury could impact his future with the Padres: pic.twitter.com/dqoI0ckKNS
— 97.3 The Fan (@973TheFanSD) October 21, 2024
Preller said that the team will first decide whether or not they will pick up the option, and then the decision will shift to Kim. Given the potential timeline and the price tag attached to Kim’s services next season, there’s a real potential that San Diego may not pick up their end of the deal.
That would have been unthinkable at the onset of last season, but the injury and lack of production could have the Friars looking elsewhere this winter. The Padres will surely have conversations about switching Xander Bogaerts or Jackson Merrill back to shortstop permanently, and maybe even allowing Jake Cronenworth to take over at second base.
Most contractual obligations are settled just days after the World Series. With Game 1 of the Fall Classic between the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees set to end no later than November 2, Pads fans will have their answer on Kim’s future in San Diego within the next two weeks.
