▲ Kim Ha-seong will try for free agency again after this season.
[SPOTV News = Reporter Kim Tae-woo] Kim Ha-seong (31, Atlanta) signed a four-year deal with San Diego ahead of the 2021 season and broke into the majors. His contract ran through 2024, and he entered free agency with expectations of landing a huge payday.
Kim established himself as the club’s everyday infielder in 2022 and earned a National League Gold Glove as a utility player in 2023. His defense was widely recognized, and he produced better-than-average offense for a shortstop. Heading into 2024, some projections suggested an extension for Kim could top $100 million.
But that kind of windfall never materialized — largely because of injuries. Kim injured his right shoulder late in the 2024 season while running back to the dugout and spent the entire offseason rehabbing. Teams were reluctant to offer a big contract to a player with lingering health questions. He eventually signed a two-year, $29 million deal with Tampa Bay — a far humbler outcome than many expected.
The deal paid him $13 million in 2025, with a mutual $16 million option for 2026. The plan was to test free agency again after 2025, essentially getting another shot at the market. But shoulder trouble and repeated injuries blunted his 2025 campaign and limited his appeal in free agency. After opting out, he re-signed with Atlanta for one year at $20 million, picking up an extra $4 million in the process.
▲ Kim Ha-seong hasn’t secured the level of contract he wanted in his last two free-agent chances.
Still, evaluators say a big payday is not out of the question. After a stretch when premium shortstops crowded the market, high-end shortstop options are now relatively scarce. The 2026–27 free-agent shortstop class doesn’t feature many surefire stars, while demand for reliable shortstops remains steady. If Kim can stay healthy and perform, he could still land a major deal.
MLB Trade Rumors (MLTR), which tracks trade and free-agent outlooks, suggested Houston could become a seller if it falls out of contention and might trade Jeremy Peña to acquire prospects. MLTR warned, though, that replacing Peña at shortstop wouldn’t be easy because the market for quality shortstops is thin. The site identified Kim and J.P. Crawford as the most notable shortstop options in the 2026–27 class. “After trading Peña, Houston wouldn’t find many attractive external replacements. The top FA shortstops in the 2026–27 class look to be J.P. Crawford or Kim Ha-seong,” MLTR wrote.
MLTR noted Crawford’s drawbacks — he’ll turn 32 next season and his defensive metrics aren’t great — and contrasted that with Kim’s stronger defensive reputation.
▲ With proven defense, Kim ranks among this year’s top free-agent shortstop candidates.
MLTR also pointed out a clear issue Kim must address: durability. “Kim has missed most of the past two years because of injury,” the site said, pointing to shoulder problems, lower-body issues and a finger injury last offseason.
Kim has recovered from the finger injury and still has plenty of time to prove his health and value. If he stays on the field, holds down a starting job and posts solid numbers the rest of the season, his stock could rise quickly.
At the moment, Kim hasn’t returned to peak form. The finger injury cost him significant time, and he needs a period to readjust. Through the 24th, he’s appeared in nine games, hitting .129 with a .229 on-base percentage and one stolen base. His defensive mobility hasn’t matched his best days. But there’s time left in the season, and if he regains his form, his production should climb.
▲ How teams treat Kim after the season will draw close attention.
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