Padres supervisor Mike Shildt informed reporters (together with AJ Cassavell of MLB.com) this night that shortstop Ha-Seong Kim’s season is over. Kim later informed reporters (together with Cassavell) that he’s present process season-ending shoulder surgical procedure. The shortstop has been on the IL for over a month as a consequence of irritation in his shoulder, and Shildt revealed yesterday that Kim may finally have to go below the knife to restore the labrum in his shoulder.
It’s an enormous blow for a Padres membership that has leaned closely on the 28-year-old since he loved a breakout season again in 2022. That yr, Kim stepped in to switch troubled star Fernando Tatis Jr. at shortstop amid a misplaced season brought on by off-the-field accidents and a PED suspension. He excelled within the position, hitting an above-average .251/.325/.383 (105 wRC+) in 150 video games whereas enjoying sturdy protection at shortstop. Kim was pushed again to second base by the addition of Xander Bogaerts final yr however took yet one more step ahead with the bat whereas enjoying slick protection throughout not solely the keystone but in addition shortstop and third base as wanted.
Final yr, Kim slashed .260/.351/.398 with a wRC+ of 110 whereas swiping 38 baggage in 47 makes an attempt. That general bundle was sufficient to earn Kim his first profession Gold Glove award and even some downballot MVP votes. Coming off that sturdy season and a lackluster season defensively from Bogaerts, the Padres elected to change the 2 coming into this yr to return Kim to shortstop. That seemingly set him up for what may very well be his third straight profession yr, however issues didn’t play out fairly that approach because the infielder took a slight step again on the plate. In 121 video games for the Padres this yr, Kim posted a wRC+ of 101 whereas stealing 22 bases in 27 makes an attempt. That down season has been additional exacerbated by his shoulder woes, which have saved him from taking part within the stretch run and now will take away him from San Diego’s postseason plans fully.
Trying forward for the Padres, it appears seemingly that the membership will now stick to Bogaerts at shortstop headed into the postseason, as they’ve performed since transferring him again to the place earlier this month in response to Kim’s damage. It’s been a down season for Bogaerts general as he’s been restricted to only 110 video games thus far by accidents whereas posting a 94 wRC+ that’s his worst since 2014, however he’s managed to show issues round since coming back from the injured checklist again in July with a stable .295/.336/.430 slash line throughout 259 plate appearances that’s good for a 116 wRC+. That’s opened second base up for normal begins from Jake Cronenworth, leaving first base out there for a timeshare between Donovan Solano and Luis Arraez, the latter of whom additionally elements into the membership’s DH combine alongside David Peralta on days he isn’t enjoying first base.
As for Kim himself, the shortstop will now head into free company going through a brand new layer of uncertainty. Whereas he’s nonetheless all however sure to say no his $8MM mutual possibility for subsequent season in favor of a $2MM buyout, it’s doable that groups may very well be extra hesitant to supply the versatile infielder a large multi-year deal this winter as a consequence of considerations about how his shoulder points may affect him on either side of the ball going ahead. Kim appeared prone to be a consensus prime infield possibility in free company this winter behind Alex Bregman and Willy Adames, making it simple to think about him touchdown a major contract. Between his down 2024 season on the plate and now his impending surgical procedure, nevertheless, Kim’s future appears a bit murkier than it did even just a few days in the past.