Report: SF Giants ‘focused’ on signing former Padres SS

It’s hot stove season as MLB free agency gets underway, and the San Francisco Giants are already looking to make a splash.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the the Giants “are focused on signing” free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, a player who they have been quite familiar with over the years.

Kim, 29, has spent the past four years with the San Diego Padres, where he has spent time at shortstop (307 games), second base (127 games), and third base (79 games).

Per Feinsand’s report, San Francisco is the team currently showing the most interest in Kim, with the Milwaukee Brewers and others also looking to sign the 2023 Gold Glove Award winner.

The slick-fielding shortstop hit .233 while mashing 11 home runs and driving in 47 RBI over 121 games in 2024. Over four seasons, Kim holds a career batting average of .242 and an OPS of .706 (1,976 plate appearances).

It’s no secret that the Giants are in the market for a shortstop this winter, something that new team president Buster Posey was candid about during last week’s MLB GM meetings in San Antonio.

“If we could find a shortstop, that would be great,” Posey said. “I think Tyler Fitzgerald did a great job at short last year. I think he has value in multiple spots on the field. I do think it’s hard to play multiple spots at the same time during the season. Whether he’d be better suited to play second base long term is a discussion we’re having.”

With Posey looking to move Fitzgerald back into a utility role and former top prospect Marco Luciano learning to play a corner outfield spot, signing Kim could bolster a San Francisco roster that lacks speed and defensive versatility in the infield.

The Giants finished next-to-last in stolen bases this season, while Kim swiped 38 bags in 2023 and 22 this past season before suffering a suffering a season-ending shoulder injury in August.

Kim, who had surgery to repair a torn labrum in his left shoulder, is expected to be ready for game action in April or May.

The veteran infielder would also be around some familiar faces if here were to sign with the Giants. From 2017-20, Kim was teammates with San Francisco outfielder and fellow South Korean product Jung Hoo Lee in the KBO. Upon signing with the Giants last offseason, Lee’s first phone call was to Kim.

San Francisco manager Bob Melvin managed Kim during the 2022 and 2023 seasons in San Diego, adding another element of familiarity to the equation.

Kim is reportedly in the market for a deal near the two years, $20 million range, but that could change if teams get into a bidding war.

More SF Giants coverage from Sactown Sports

San Francisco Giants infielder Wilmer Flores exercised his $3.5 million player option for 2025 on Saturday.

Meanwhile, left-hander Robbie Ray elected not to opt out of his five-year, $115 million deal. He is owed $50 million over the final two seasons.

Flores, 33, batted just .206 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 71 games in 2024 during an injury-plagued season. He didn’t play after July 23 and underwent knee surgery on Aug. 6.

In 2023, he hit .284 with a career-best 23 homers and 60 RBIs for San Francisco.

Read more below:

Giants’ Wilmer Flores exercises option, Robbie Ray staying put

Upcoming San Francisco Giants Offseason Dates

• MLB free agency begins the day after the final World Series game
• Players can sign contracts with new teams five days after the final World Series game
• December 8-11th – MLB Winter Meetings in Dallas, TX
• February TBD – Pitchers & catchers report for Spring Training

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