Padres SS Ha-Seong Kim declines option, will become free agent

Field Level Media|published: Sat 2nd November, 17:48 2024

Aug 13, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim (7) throws to first base against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-Imagn Images

San Diego Padres shortstop Ha-Seong Kim declined his mutual $8 million option for 2025 and will become a free agent.

Kim is owed a $2 million buyout.

Kim sustained a season-ending injury to his right shoulder on Aug. 18 while diving back to first base. It turned out he tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder.

Kim batted .233 with 11 homers, 47 RBIs and 22 steals in 121 games this season.

In four seasons with the Padres, the 29-year-old fan favorite from South Korea batted .242 with 47 homers, 200 RBIs and 78 steals in 540 games.

Kim is a stellar defender and won a Gold Glove in 2023.

After Kim was injured, the Padres moved second baseman Xander Bogaerts back to shortstop, his former position. The team will study options at shortstop for 2025 in the offseason.

Also, left-handed reliever Wandy Peralta exercised his player option worth $4.25 million for 2025.

Peralta, 33, went 3-2 with a 3.99 ERA in 46 appearances last season. Overall, he is 22-20 with a 3.89 ERA in 430 relief appearances and one start in nine seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2016-19), San Francisco Giants (2019-21), New York Yankees (2021-23) and Padres.

--Field Level Media

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