What Would a Ha-Seong Kim Extension With the Padres Look Like?

Can the Padres lock down their superstar utilityman?

In 2023, Ha-Seong Kim blossomed for the San Diego Padres. No one doubted his versatility or his defensive prowess, but in his third year in Major League Baseball, Kim put it all together offensively. The Korean native slashed .260/.351/.298 with 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and 38 stolen bases. 

Kim, 28, only has one guaranteed year left in San Diego; his contract includes a mutual option for 2025. Ahead of this season, questions have swirled around whether or not the Padres would sign Kim long-term, try to get a player or two with more years of team control via trade, or allow him to test the free-agent market. 

Dennis Lin of The Athletic does not see an extension for Kim happening before Opening Day. However, he does lay out the terms of a possible extension:

If the Padres were to pull off the unexpected before the season opener, a seven-year extension that covers 2024 and guarantees Kim between $130 million and $150 million seems like it could do the trick.

Dennis Lin of The Athletic

A seven-year deal would keep Kim in San Diego until 2031, through his age-35 season. A utility player earning north of $20 million might seem like a lot, but Kim is not the average utility player. His contract will look better with each year as the competitive balance tax ceiling rises and other players eventually sign larger contracts

Kim plays basically every infield position well, and can transition between them fluidly. Last year, he won his first Gold Glove award for the utility position, beating out Mookie Betts and Tommy Edman.

Unfortunately, like Lin alluded to, an extension does not seem likely. General manager A.J. Preller and the Padres are looking to decrease their player payroll, not add to it. Their financial future could depend on the outcome of the Diamond Sports Group bankruptcy proceedings, after the broadcast network failed to make owed payments to the team last season. 

Under the circumstances, it's no surprise the Padres are reportedly shopping Kim this offseason.