Tigers Show Interest in Ha-Seong Kim as Free Agent Market Heats Up

The Detroit Tigers have expressed interest in infielder Ha-Seong Kim, as reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press during a recent appearance on the "Days Of Roar" podcast. Alongside the Tigers, the Blue Jays, Giants, and Kim’s former team, the Padres, have all been linked to the free agent this offseason. However, the Giants' recent signing of Willy Adames may take them out of the running for Kim.


Evaluating Kim in the 2024-25 free agent class presents challenges due to his recent shoulder surgery in late September. This procedure will sideline Kim for the start of the 2025 season, although the exact timeline for his return remains uncertain. While agent Scott Boras has indicated that a late-April return is possible, Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller has suggested a broader window, ranging from May to July.


Despite the uncertainty surrounding Kim's health, some teams are still considering multi-year contracts for the infielder. The specifics of these offers are unclear, but a two-year deal with a player opt-out after 2025 seems plausible. Alternatively, Kim and Boras might prefer a one-year contract, allowing Kim to quickly re-enter the market next winter with a healthier and more productive season under his belt. MLBTR has projected a one-year, $12 million contract for Kim, aligning with this strategy.


A shorter-term contract could be particularly appealing to the Tigers, who are reportedly interested in similar deals for starting pitchers. Coming off a wild card berth and an ALDS appearance, Detroit is expected to be more aggressive in upgrading their roster. While the Tigers' offseason has been relatively quiet, rumors of interest in players like Jack Flaherty or Alex Bregman suggest that moves are on the horizon.


Securing Kim would provide the Tigers with valuable infield depth and versatility, enhancing their chances of building on their recent successes.