The New York Yankees have been active this offseason, making key moves to bolster their roster after losing Juan Soto. While signing Paul Goldschmidt and trading for Cody Bellinger should provide offensive stability, the Yankees still face uncertainty in their infield following Gleyber Torres’ departure.
Currently, the team’s options for filling the second base role appear limited. D.J. LeMahieu, who struggled offensively this past season, and Oswaldo Cabrera, primarily a bench player at this point in his career, are not ideal full-time solutions. If the Yankees are unwilling to rely on either of these players as everyday starters, exploring the free-agent market might be their best course of action.
One intriguing possibility is former San Diego Padres infielder Ha Seong Kim, who has been mentioned as a potential target. Caleb Moody of Just Baseball recently highlighted Kim as a strong candidate to take over second base in New York. Moody noted that Kim’s elite defensive skills could create a formidable double-play duo alongside shortstop Anthony Volpe. Additionally, Kim has proven he can contribute offensively, posting a wRC+ above 100 in each of the past three seasons.
Kim, 29, boasts an impressive career resume, with 15.3 bWAR over four seasons and versatility across three infield positions. Recently finishing a four-year, $28 million deal with the Padres, Kim’s next contract may depend on his recovery from offseason labrum surgery. A short-term agreement, possibly two years with an opt-out option, could be mutually beneficial, allowing Kim to reestablish his value while filling a key need for the Yankees.
