Padres' free agent shortstop could be perfect fit for Tampa Bay infield

Yesterday, Padres' middle infielder, Ha-Seong Kim declined his option with the San Diego Padres and became a free agent for this offseason. Now, we are aware that Kim will be a hot commodity among MLB clubs due to his consistent bat and smooth defense at the shortstop position, but we believe that the 29-year old could be suitable in the Rays' infield.

Despite the heated competition, the Rays should pursue the star-studded athlete in free agency this offseason. Kim has played four seasons with the San Diego Padres since he was signed out of free agency on New Years Eve of 2020.

Since his arrival, Ha-Seong Kim has produced impressive numbers as the Padres' everyday shortstop. In 2022, the Korean infielder manufactured a .251 AVG with 11 homers and 59 RBIs. Surprisingly, his career-best campaign came in 2023 where he slashed .260/.351/.398 with 17 HRs and 60 RBIs. On top of his great offensive production, Kim swiped 38 bases that season. The agile baserunner carries a stunning 78% success rate in his 78 total stolen bases throughout his young career.

Tampa Bay's current shortstop situation is a little troubling at the moment as both options have shown little signs of offensive potential. This is not to say that these players have zero value for the organization, but their worth in regards to their bats could be greatly improved.

First of all, Jose Caballero will probably be considered our starting shortstop heading into Spring Training this coming year. The swift middle infielder is coming off of a down-year offensively as he finished with a sub .300 OBP.

However, there are a multitude of qualities that Caballero displayed on the ballpark last season. The 28-year old shortstop led the American League in stolen bases with 44 swiped bases. However, all positives come with their negatives as Caballero also led the entire MLB in being caught stealing as he was called out a total of 16 times.

Another concerning outlier was his offensive production as he finished with the same number of RBIs as he had stolen bases: 44. The former Mariner could never put it all together at the plate as he ended the year with 133 strikeouts in 441 ABs which would match a 30% strikeout rate on the season. Those stats should cause the front office to be on the lookout for possible replacements.

Taylor Walls will be another candidate at this arduous position in 2025. Walls is known for exhibiting a well above-average glove with his quick hands and extended range. Although, in his four years as a Ray, the FSU grad has never been able to accumulate league average offensive numbers. His career .188 AVG speaks volumes towards his value.

Rays' fans got to see a glimpse of success from Walls' bat in 2023 as he possessed a .350 AVG and 1.135 OPS through the first 20 games of the season. The 28-year old cooled off significantly throughout the year as he finished with a .201 AVG and only 8 HRs in 99 games.

Due to the Rays' clear struggles at his primary position, Ha-Seong Kim would be a perfect fit for this club because of his outstanding combination of slick fielding, contact hitting, and speed. Tampa Bay prides themselves on the defensive side of the ball, so his playing style will match up effectively.

Lastly, it has been expressed by many Padres' players that Kim's presence is great for the atmosphere in the clubhouse. According to the New York Times, Padres' right fielder, Fernando Tatis Jr. called Ha-Seong Kim a "genuine guy" after their trip to Seoul, Korea to face off against the rival Dodgers. So fans, here's to hoping that the Rays come out of their shells for this great opportunity.