The New York Yankees are reportedly looking to fill their third base position, with a recent prediction pointing to Ha-Seong Kim as a potential signing.
Kim, who recently completed a four-year, $28 million contract with the San Diego Padres, is a versatile infielder capable of playing multiple positions. With Jazz Chisholm Jr. likely moving to second base, the Yankees have an opening at third base.
Colin Cerniglia of YardBarker predicts the Yankees will sign Kim to be their starting third baseman. He writes, “Kim’s glove continues to dazzle, and he compiled a stellar 6.9 fWAR in 2023-24 with the San Diego Padres. His bat doesn’t dazzle (.242 career average), but his versatility and defensive value are unmatched. Prediction: The Yankees will shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base and add Kim to anchor their infield at third, solving two problems at once.”
While Kim’s bat may not be as flashy, his defensive skills and flexibility make him a strong candidate. Last season, Kim posted a .233 batting average with 11 home runs and 47 RBIs. However, his status is uncertain due to a recent shoulder surgery that caused him to miss the playoffs, which may affect his readiness for the upcoming season.
MLBTradeRumors predicts that Kim could sign a one-year, $12 million deal to rebuild his value, with potential for a multi-year contract if his shoulder rehab progresses well. As the article states, “It’s certainly possible that if a team feels comfortable with his medical outlook, they’ll largely overlook the rehab process and attempt to sign him long-term anyhow.”
If the Yankees decide against signing Kim, DJ LeMahieu could step in at third base. Jon Heyman suggests that LeMahieu may get another chance if he regains full health, stating, “Yankees people love Alex Bregman but question whether Yankee Stadium is right for him. Possible they hope DJ LeMahieu regains health to fill 3B.”
LeMahieu, entering the fifth year of his six-year, $90 million deal, struggled with injuries in 2024, posting a .204 batting average with 2 home runs and 26 RBIs in just 64 games.
