The appeal of Ha-Sepng Kim is lessened as a glove-first rental, but versatile hitter Donovan Solano could pry away pitching
You understand how the buzz about the Padres potentially trading shortstop Ha-Seong Kim makes surface-level sense.
As Wednesday’s game against the Nationals began, Solano was out of the lineup for the fifth straight game, the longest stretch since coming to San Diego.There’s too much money available in today’s free-agency universe, so Kim is almost certainly gone a year from now. Is he worth $7 million or more annually to the Padres, given the glut of infielders and contracts?The fan base and clubhouse will love it as much as dental surgery, but it’s about trying to win sooner than later.
Solano’s OPS+, comparing his value to the league average of 100, is 114 — his high-water mark since 2020. His OPS is higher than Arraez, Bogaerts … and Kim. “Right now everybody’s healthy, so it’s a lot of infielders,” said Solano, who has played for six teams in his nine seasons. “Nothing’s going to surprise me. I know how the business works. It’s nothing personal. They do what’s best for the organization.
It might feel cringey to watch another player walk away, as pitchers Blake Snell and Josh Hader did this offseason. With a limited return and possible declining stock, though, is it better to ride out Kim’s glove work and not shake up an infield that already has shuffled Bogaerts and Cronenworth?
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