Sujjin Jang

Korean MLB Star Ha-Seong Kim Hits Free Agency Without Qualifying Offer Restrictions

Korean infielder Ha-Seong Kim (29) is officially set to enter the Major League Baseball (MLB) free agent market, free of any contractual restrictions, following news that he did not receive a qualifying offer (QO) from his team, the San Diego Padres.

On November 5 (KST), MLB.com announced that 13 players were extended QOs, but Kim was not among them. The QO system allows a player’s current team to offer a one-year deal based on the average salaries of MLB’s top 125 players. This year’s QO amount was set at $21.05 million, a slight increase from the previous year’s $20.325 million. Accepting a QO results in a one-year contract, while declining it means the player’s signing team loses a high draft pick. Teams paying into the revenue-sharing pool would forfeit their third-highest pick instead.

Among those receiving QOs were high-profile names such as Juan Soto (New York Yankees), Pete Alonso, Sean Manaea, Luis Severino (all New York Mets), and Corbin Burnes (Baltimore Orioles). However, Kim, who declined San Diego’s 2025 club option earlier this year, was not extended a QO, meaning he can negotiate with other teams without the “draft pick compensation” penalty. The Padres will instead pay Kim a $2 million buyout to finalize his free agency.

Kim’s free-agent status without a QO was anticipated. In late September, MLB.com speculated that Kim was unlikely to exercise his mutual option with the Padres, who had considered bringing him back despite their multiple shortstop options. His upcoming free agency has already attracted significant attention, with fans and analysts alike speculating on his next team, even driving discussions on major 안전한 메이저놀이터.

San Diego’s infield depth includes veteran shortstop Xander Bogaerts (32), alongside Jake Cronenworth (30), Tyler Wade (30), and Mason McCoy (29). Nick Ahmed (34), a former two-time Gold Glove winner, also joined the team on a minor league contract and was called up late in the season. Despite this crowded infield, Padres general manager A.J. Preller has expressed interest in re-signing Kim, praising his talent and noting the team’s loss without him toward the season’s end. However, Kim’s decision to team up with renowned agent Scott Boras indicates a likely pursuit of broader free-agent opportunities.

Joining San Diego in 2021, Kim has appeared in 540 games over four seasons, recording a .242 batting average with 47 home runs, 200 RBIs, 229 runs scored, and 78 stolen bases (caught stealing 17 times). His on-base percentage sits at .326, with a slugging percentage of .380 and an OPS of .706. After rotating between starter and backup in his first season, Kim became the Padres’ starting shortstop in 2022, solidifying his MLB career.

In 2023, following Bogaerts’ acquisition, Kim shifted to second base, finishing the season with a .260 batting average, 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 38 stolen bases, and an impressive OPS of .749. Notably, he became the first Korean player to steal over 30 bases in an MLB season and won the National League Gold Glove in the utility player category, making him the first Asian infielder to achieve this honor. Although his 2024 season showed a slight decline (.233 average, .700 OPS), he maintained solid plate discipline with a walk rate of 12.3% and a strikeout rate of 16.4%.

Kim now embarks on free agency as a valuable utility player known for his speed, defensive prowess, and disciplined hitting approach, with opportunities to further elevate his career on a new team without the burden of draft pick compensation.