"Ha-Seong Kim is back in Atlanta after signing a $20MM deal to remain the club's starting shortstop. He took a one-year contract that'll allow him to get back to free agency after what he hopes to be a healthy season. ESPN's Jeff Passan reported last night that Kim had declined multi-year offers. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic writes that the A's proposed a four-year, $48MM deal. It's unclear if that would have included any opt-out opportunities, though it seems safe to assume they wouldn't have risked a four-year commitment that allowed him to opt out after just one season."
"The A's have a franchise shortstop in Jacob Wilson but are looking for second and/or third base help. Kim bet on himself with a straight one-year deal at a higher rate. Gleyber Torres accepted a qualifying offer, while Jorge Polanco commanded $20MM annually on a two-year contract from the Mets. The A's certainly aren't going to sign Bo Bichette or Alex Bregman to contracts north of $150MM."
"There's a significant drop from there in free agency. Willi Castro, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Yoán Moncada, Luis Rengifo and KBO hitter Sung-mun Song are all one-year deal candidates. Song and Castro are probably the best bets to command a multi-year contract. The former at least comes with some intrigue as an upside play after consecutive strong seasons in Korea, but scouting reports raise questions about his pure hitting ability."
Ha-Seong Kim signed a one-year, $20MM contract to remain Atlanta's starting shortstop and declined multi-year offers to pursue free agency after a hoped-for healthy season. The A's proposed a four-year, $48MM deal that likely would not have included a one-year opt-out. Oakland retains Jacob Wilson at shortstop but seeks upgrades at second and third base. Kim chose a higher-rate one-year path rather than a longer guarantee. The free-agent market thins after top names, with several middle-infield and utility options expected to receive short-term deals and some international players priced out.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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