The underrated infielder generating lots of buzz at GM Meetings
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SAN ANTONIO – Could Ha-Seong Kim be one of the first players off the free-agent market?
According to a source, Kim has already generated “lots of interest” in the early days of free agency, while a second source said the Giants are focused on signing the 29-year-old. The Brewers have also been connected to Kim, but the Giants appear to be the club most interested in the infielder.
Giants shortstops ranked sixth in the National League with a .762 OPS, with Tyler Fitzgerald (.887 OPS in 71 games) leading the way. But new president of baseball operations Buster Posey said this week that adding a shortstop would be ideal, allowing the club to use Fitzgerald in a more versatile role.
“If we could find a shortstop, that would be great,” Posey said. “I think Tyler Fitzgerald did a great job at short last year. I think he has value in multiple spots on the field. I do think it’s hard to play multiple spots at the same time during the season. Whether he’d be better suited to play second base long term is a discussion we’re having.”
A move to San Francisco would make sense for Kim, who already has ties to both the Giants’ manager and one of their everyday players.
Kim and Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee were teammates in Korea with two different teams from 2017-2020, also playing together for Team Korea in the World Baseball Classic. When Lee signed with the Giants, his first phone call was to Kim.
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Giants skipper Bob Melvin also managed Kim in San Diego in 2022 and 2023 and is said to be quite fond of the infielder.
Kim – who won a Gold Glove and received five down-ballot MVP votes in 2023 – hit 11 home runs with 47 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and a .700 OPS in 121 games in 2024 before a labrum tear in his right shoulder ended his season in mid-August. Kim underwent surgery in early October, a procedure that will likely keep him out of action until late April or early May.
Kim declined his half of an $8 million mutual option earlier this week, sending him to the free-agent market.
Something Brew-ing?
While executives have surely spent time the past two days discussing potential trades with each other, it’s still unclear which players could be made available this winter.
One name that has created some buzz is Brewers closer Devin Williams, the 2020 NL Rookie of the Year and two-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year winner.
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Williams, whose $10.5 million club option was declined by Milwaukee last weekend, is arbitration-eligible for one more year before reaching free agency, presenting the Brewers with the same scenario they had a year ago with Corbin Burnes, who was traded to the Orioles in February.
“I would say right now that we’re focused on him being a Brewer because he’s really good and really talented,” Brewers general manager Matt Arnold said. “We consider him to be the best closer in baseball; he certainly makes our big league team better and that’s where we’re focused right now.”
While that may be true, Arnold admitted that he will have to consider any ideas that come his way in the coming weeks and months.
“Certainly we have to be open to those types of things, but I think he makes our team better,” Arnold said. “We have to be open to those types of moves; if we think something good presents itself, we'll always have to listen.”
A rival executive believes the Brewers could hang on to Williams this offseason, then wait until July, when relievers are always in high demand and contenders are willing to pay more with the postseason in their sights.
“Look at the history of closers getting traded this time of year; are they better off waiting until the Trade Deadline?” the executive said. “But all it takes is one motivated team; if the missing piece for your team is the closer that's going to put you over the top, you’re going to win the deal.”
Williams missed the first four months of the 2024 season with stress fractures in his back, making only 22 appearances for the year. Although the back injury didn’t hamper him upon his return – he had 14 saves with a 1.25 ERA and a 43.2 percent strikeout rate – some clubs may have concern about any lingering issues.
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“It's hard to put what his absolute value is,” the executive said. “He’s had some health issues, and while it seems like he’s over them, they were still there. How does that affect his market?”
One thing that could work in the Brewers’ favor this winter is the lack of dominant closers on the free-agent market. Unlike the past two years, when Edwin Díaz and Josh Hader landed huge contracts, Tanner Scott is the best reliever available, followed by a number of arms considered by many to be a tier below.
“He's going to be one of the most desirable players out there, for sure,” Arnold said. “That's why we like him.”
Trade winds in the Windy City
Another player certain to generate plenty of interest this winter is White Sox lefty Garrett Crochet, who was one of the most highly sought-after players at last summer’s Trade Deadline.
“Based on conversations I've had with other clubs when we talk about potential trades, Garrett certainly garners a lot of attention,” White Sox GM Chris Getz said.
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Crochet has two years of club control remaining, and given the state of Chicago’s rebuild, moving the 25-year-old All-Star for a package of young talent might be the best course of action unless the club believes it can sign Crochet to an extension.
Luis Robert Jr., on the other hand, seems less likely to be moved this winter. The 2023 All-Star slashed .224/.278/.379 with 14 home runs, 35 RBIs and 23 steals in 100 games last season, a stark drop from his breakout season a year earlier.
“The Luis market is a tough one just because of the year that he had,” Getz said. “He’s obviously ultra-talented; a year prior, he was outstanding, then he got injured early in the year and just was a little out of sorts when he came back. We value him. It's all about matching up on value; what he's able to do defensively in center field, his power potential and his overall game, it needs to be appropriately valued for us to make sense on a move.”