No, the San Diego Padres did not trade Ha-seong Kim. Despite continuous media speculation during his tenure, Kim departed San Diego strictly through MLB free agency after declining his portion of an $8 million mutual option following the 2024 campaign.
General manager A.J. Preller retained the Gold Glove infielder for postseason contention until a shoulder injury in August 2024 ended trade possibilities.
Kim subsequently signed with the Tampa Bay Rays in January 2025 before joining the Atlanta Braves on waivers in September 2025. Here is the full timeline of Kim’s career transactions, contracts, and roster movements.
Why San Diego Kept Ha-seong Kim Through Free Agency
Understanding why San Diego retained Kim throughout his contract requires examining front office roster priorities, team postseason goals, and untimely medical developments that ultimately shaped his eventual free agent market departure.
Roster Value During Postseason Contention
During the 2023 and 2024 campaigns, rumors linked Kim to multiple teams due to San Diego’s dense infield roster. However, front office leadership prioritized immediate postseason competition over prospect returns.
Kim offered elite defense and versatile positional utility, making his presence far more beneficial to immediate championship aspirations than any rival trade proposal available on the market.
August 2024 Shoulder Injury and Surgery
Any potential trade discussions completely halted in August 2024 when Kim suffered a severe right shoulder injury. Diagnosed with a torn labrum, he underwent season-ending surgery and missed San Diego’s postseason run.
Because Kim was an injured player approaching free agency, rival organizations were unwilling to surrender valuable roster assets or prospects to acquire him.
Exercising Free Agent Rights with Scott Boras
Following the 2024 season, Kim officially completed his original multi-year agreement with San Diego. Represented by high-profile agent Scott Boras, Kim declined his side of an $8 million mutual option in November 2024.
By choosing the open market, Kim sought fresh opportunities, effectively ending his memorable tenure with San Diego without any trade transaction occurring.
Complete Timeline of Ha-seong Kim Free Agency and Roster Changes
Following his departure from San Diego, Kim’s professional journey unfolded across multiple franchises through free agency agreements, waiver moves, and subsequent contract extensions.
San Diego Contract Exit in Late 2024
Kim’s multi-year tenure in San Diego concluded following the 2024 season. After missing postseason games due to shoulder surgery, Kim formally declined his $8 million mutual option in November 2024.
San Diego opted to let his contract expire rather than making a trade, a decision analysts later viewed as pragmatic given subsequent offensive struggles and health issues.
Tampa Bay Rays Contract and Injury Rehab in 2025
In January 2025, Kim signed a two-year, $29 million agreement with the Tampa Bay Rays. Ongoing shoulder rehabilitation delayed his opening month appearances.
Upon returning, Kim posted a subpar .611 OPS over 24 games and 84 at-bats while managing lower back inflammation, prompting Tampa Bay to place him on waivers in late August 2025.
Atlanta Braves Waiver Claim and 2026 Season
The Atlanta Braves claimed Kim off waivers on September 1, 2025, to reinforce an injury-depleted infield. After entering free agency that winter, Kim re-signed with Atlanta on a one-year, $20 million deal for 2026.
However, a winter ice-skating finger injury slowed his start, resulting in a .123 batting average through 45 games.
San Diego Padres Infield Roster Dynamics
San Diego managed an expensive, highly talented infield group during Kim’s tenure, balancing individual star power against team flexibility.
| Infield Player | Contract Situation | Defensive Primary Role | Organizational Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ha-seong Kim | Declined $8M Mutual Option | Shortstop / Utility | Departed via Free Agency |
| Manny Machado | High-Value Extension | Third Base | Retained as Core Starter |
| Xander Bogaerts | Multi-Year Free Agent Deal | Shortstop / Infield | Retained as Core Starter |
| Jake Cronenworth | Long-Term Extension | First Base / Second Base | Retained as Core Starter |
San Diego faced roster management challenges due to significant financial commitments across their central infield positions.
While media reports frequently speculated about potential trades involving Kim to relieve financial congestion, management maintained their core roster to pursue playoff success.
Key Factors Preventing a Ha-seong Kim Trade Deal
Multiple strategic and circumstantial elements aligned to prevent San Diego from trading Kim during his peak performance windows in California.
High Defensive Value Versus Prospect Offers
Kim established himself as a Gold Glove-caliber defender capable of playing multiple infield positions at an elite level. Front office decision-makers evaluated rival trade packages against Kim’s daily impact.
They concluded that keeping his defensive consistency and lineup flexibility provided greater value for playoff runs than accepting young, unproven prospects from competing clubs.
Trade Market Obstacles Following Shoulder Surgery
Medical setbacks represent a major hurdle in professional sports transactions. Kim’s shoulder injury in August 2024 eliminated any realistic window for San Diego to execute a mid-season trade.
Competing franchises were unwilling to trade top-tier assets for a player requiring labrum surgery while entering the final months of his active contract.
Financial Decisions and Mutual Option Refusal
The structure of Kim’s original agreement included an $8 million mutual option for the 2025 season. San Diego anticipated that Kim and agent Scott Boras would reject the option to pursue larger market deals.
Consequently, San Diego chose to let his deal run its course, accepting his departure through open market free agency.
Ha-seong Kim Performance and Contract Details Breakdown
Evaluating Kim’s contract history highlights how his professional journey transitioned from California to new opportunities across Major League Baseball.
- San Diego Option Refusal: Kim declined his side of an $8 million mutual option in November 2024 to enter free agency.
- Tampa Bay Deal: Signed a two-year, $29 million contract with Tampa Bay in January 2025 before facing waiver designation.
- Braves Waiver Claim: Claimed off waivers by Atlanta on September 1, 2025, providing immediate infield depth.
- Atlanta Re-Signing: Secured a one-year, $20 million contract extension with Atlanta for the 2026 campaign.
- Recent Challenges: Struggled offensively with a .123 average across 45 games in 2026 following a middle finger tendon injury.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ha-seong Kim Trade History
Did San Diego Receive Any Players in Exchange for Kim?
No, San Diego received zero players or prospects in return for Kim. Because Kim departed entirely as an unrestricted free agent after turning down his mutual option, no trade transaction occurred between San Diego and any rival club.
His transition off San Diego’s roster resulted solely from contract expiration.
Which Team Signed Ha-seong Kim After San Diego?
The Tampa Bay Rays signed Kim in January 2025 on a two-year, $29 million contract following his free agency exit from San Diego.
He later joined the Atlanta Braves via waivers in September 2025 before signing a new single-year contract with Atlanta for 2026.
What Is Ha-seong Kim Current Contract Status in 2026?
Kim currently plays for the Atlanta Braves under a one-year, $20 million contract for the 2026 season.
After struggling offensively with a .123 batting average following a winter finger injury, Atlanta adjusted their lineup, inserting Mauricio Dubón into the starting lineup.
Final Summary on Ha-seong Kim Departure
San Diego never traded Ha-seong Kim during his tenure with the franchise. While trade rumors circulated regularly due to infield roster depth, San Diego kept Kim for postseason pushes until he chose free agency in late 2024.
His subsequent journey through Tampa Bay and Atlanta highlights the dynamic nature of Major League Baseball contracts and player movements.
