The New York Yankees are still in the process of rebuilding their roster following the departure of Juan Soto, with their focus now turning to adding an infielder. General Manager Brian Cashman and his team have yet to finalize their infield, and Ha-Seong Kim could be the ideal solution to complete Aaron Boone’s lineup.
Currently, the Yankees may have to rely on veteran DJ LeMahieu to start at second or third base. Jazz Chisholm could also take one of those spots but would likely shift back to second base if LeMahieu secures a starting role.
However, LeMahieu’s performance last season was disappointing, as he was one of the weakest hitters in baseball. Relying on him for a bounce-back season in 2025 isn’t a sound strategy.
Instead, Chris Kirschner from The Athletic suggests that Cashman and his team should target Ha-Seong Kim in free agency. Kim’s market has been slow to develop due to a shoulder injury that is expected to keep him sidelined until early in the regular season. The Yankees could take advantage of this and potentially sign him to a more affordable contract.
Kim could serve as an ideal replacement for Gleyber Torres in the Yankee infield. While he lacks the power that made Torres an attractive player, he excels in all other areas of the game. Kim is an exceptional fielder at both middle infield positions and would provide a strong defensive boost. He could pair with Anthony Volpe to form one of the best middle infield combos in MLB.
One of Kim’s often-overlooked skills is his speed. He stole 22 bases for the Padres last season and is recognized as a solid baserunner. This would be a huge upgrade for the Yankees, as baserunning was one of Torres’ weaknesses, contributing to his departure from the team.
It remains to be seen whether the Yankees are willing to meet Kim’s contract demands, but he fits their roster needs perfectly. There’s even a chance he could be hitting leadoff for the Yankees in 2025.
