Padres Rumors: Insider Talks About Potential Ha-Seong Kim Trade Speculation

Not the name you'd think.

Early reports from the Padres' brass all but point toward a significant dip in payroll for the 2024 season and beyond.

Several roster cuts could be made to lower costs this offseason after GM AJ Preller sported the third-highest payroll in baseball for 2023. 

Trade rumors around Juan Soto have already been well documented but Dennis Lin of The Athletic believes that Ha-Seong Kim could also be on the trade block this offseason. 

His potential contract demands and a possible infield logjam — top shortstop prospect Jackson Merrill could debut in 2024 — might lead to some trade speculation this offseason. San Diego, however, would require significant offers to even entertain what would be a highly unpopular move.

via Dennis Lin, The Athletic

Kim turned in his best season of his three-year MLB career as the Padres' most consistent player throughout the 2023 season. 

The Korean star's bat finally caught up to his great glove in one of the most complete seasons across all of baseball this year. 

Fernando Tatis Jr. gave way for Kim to be San Diego's everyday shortstop and the international acquisition did not disappoint in the infield. 

In 152 games this past season, Kim managed a .749 OPS and a 110 OPS+ paired with his great defense all over Bob Melvin's infield. 

17 home runs also marked a career-high for the All-Star Snub in an overall 5.8 WAR campaign. 

Merrill's debut looms for the Friars and Lin's suggestion that Kim could get shipped out may not be as ludicrous as we might think. 

Manny Machado, Tatis and Xander Bogaerts all hold hefty price tags and Kim's large contract may be the odd man out for the talented San Diego roster. 

If Kim's time at Petco Park ends in a trade, any potential suitor would get one of the best all-around players in the sport.