Ha-Seong Kim Signs Two-Year Deal with the Rays | Locked On Rays
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- Опубликовано: 8 фев 2025
- Ha-Seong Kim is officially the highest-paid player in Tampa Bay Rays history, but what does that mean for the team’s future? In this episode, we break down Kim’s all-around game-his underrated power, elite defense, and high-contact approach that makes him a unique weapon in the lineup.
With a Gold Glove to his name and a career WAR that proves his value, Kim’s addition could push the Rays back into serious playoff contention. But after shoulder surgery, how will he bounce back? And what does his arrival mean for Taylor Walls?
We also dive into the offseason free-agent market-was Kim a steal compared to other shortstops? And with projections ranging from $24 million to $100 million, did the Rays just make one of the smartest signings of the year?
All that and more, as we dissect the impact of Tampa Bay’s boldest move yet.
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I think this is a great move for us. Ever since he who must not be named left, our shortstops have been subpar. The fans will love saying his name like they did with ji man Choi. Go rays!
Even though Ha-Seong Kim is still recovering from shoulder surgery and likely will not be available until May, it is still a worthwhile signing. There is a one year opt out clause.
Potential 2025 Rays lineup:
1 Diaz 1B
2 Kim SS
3 B. Lowe 2B
4 Caminero 3B
5 J. Lowe RF
6 Aranda/Morel DH*
7 Palacios LF
8 DeLuca CF
9 Jansen/Rortvedt C
*Unknown is Eloy Jimenez. If he is healthy, makes the club and returns to form, he becomes the full-time or part DH. Thus, more flexibility with Aranda and Morel.
Great stuff, guys!
Love this signing!
I've had my fingers crossed all free agency that he'd fall to us.
He falls to us because the injury is to his throwing shoulder, and he likely won't be ready until May.
It's a risk, but considering our in-house options, it's worth it.
He needed a place to prove himself again so he could cash in, and we could certainly offer that.
He could be a great placeholder for Carson. He's Walls with 25% better offensive production.
These Jansen and Kim deals had to happen. By Rays standards, we really landed our guys this off-season.
Credit to Neander for getting these moves done, and the Eloy move could be sneaky good as well.
Strong move! I like it. We needed this so freaking bad.
I can't decide if I'm more excited to see Kim play or not see Walls in the lineup every day starting in May.
Man the Rays sure do send some mixed signals…😂 I’ll take this good news happily in any case!
This deal isn’t made by the rays it’s made by Kim. He’s taking a pay cut this year to get a long term deal and pay raise in 2026 if he plays well this year. He gave the rays a gift for 1 year.
Great move. He can also play 2nd and 3rd. If they do bring up Carson Williams he can rotate between them and especially Diaz and B.Lowe so one can DH.
Would this mean taylor walls could get traded at the trade dead line and they stick with Kim until Carson Williams maybe 2026?
Wow for once we have a rounded infield offensively and defensively! also, not sure if you guys were joking but 44 Hank Aaron... Reggie Jackson and Julio Rodriguez!
We were trying for 'legendary Rays' players! 👊
@ awww man I missed that part sorry!
The move is an upgrade, but with jr/kim/BLowe/Yandy starting isn't it getting crowded.
I think Mead, Basabe and Aranda deserve a shot. Then you have cabby, walls morel and palacios. The last 2 could play left field.
I think a trade might be coming. Hopeful a power hitting veteran leftfielder.
Maybe, but remember Kim won't play until May so, no need to rush for a trade when injuries could happen in ST/early season.
43 Mike Brosseau!
44 is Toby Hall!
Gooooood one!!!
And Ryan Pepiot...
@ We were trying for 'legendary Rays' players...but noted!
Reggie Jackson wore 44!
Not a Rays player though..
I just think he's more of the same, we all complained about this lineup the last year with them all having singles and no one being able to hit them home. He isnt that can you guys bring up his past numbers he came from a lineup that was disgusting so he was well protected and they would rather pitch to him than almost every other player in that lineup he càme from. I don't think he's going to do as much offensively than Rosario did in the first half last season but yes he'll do more defensively but the Rays dont need that they need power. Hell between Jenson n Kim they might replace the power of Siri isnt that sad?!?! The two biggest free agent signings for the Rays in the off-season might replace 20- 25 homers. I get it's a good signing but I'm not overly exaggerated hyped about it like you guys. Just think it's more of the same hope he makes a big difference but i dont think so.
I guess we were talking strictly to you at minute 20:00 👊
#44 hank Aaron & Reggie Jackson!
Not Rays players though....
I don't know, paying him the most money and "hoping" he'll join the team after missing at least the first 6-7 weeks? And he had a very bad Avg. until he went out with .233
Yeah, he has tools, but I can't help myself, spending tons of cash for an injured player just gives me the wiggies.
💯 agree still doesn't fill they're biggest need in power. He's more of the same so more singles and just as good a defense.
@ In their budget (which we all know could be bigger but let's not do pie in the sky moves), what would make you feel like they did a great job?
@@LockedOnRays fulfilling their biggest struggle and right now what wins baseball games HR hitting. All last season as fans we all complained about it and rightfully so cuz they finished bottom of the league and the teams that were there at the end of the season where at the top of the league . Now if they go out sign say Pete Alonso to a short term deal who actually fulfill their biggest need HR hitting, then I think it shows they care by addressing their biggest need and it doesn't seem like say get the bare minimum enough move to keep us barley intrigued. Also doesn't seem like you're wasting the time of your possibly best starting pitching staff in all of MLB. A bigger risk can win u a bigger prize and taking that calculated move while you're working out the new stadium deal certainly wouldn't hurt in my opinion
@ Pete's power would be great, we've talked about it before on here...but, again, in the actual Rays budget and how they operate, what would make you happy?
@@LockedOnRaysif there's a year 2 overspend, why not take that chance and calculated risk when you have an elite starting pitching? And if it doesn't work out you do what the Rays do you trade everybody around the All-Star break but if it does work out you literally just invested in your future and put more money in your pocket. Which usually can drive maybe the interest of other players to come. If you never take that calculated risk or a chance then why would players do the same for that ball club? And all I'm saying is this is the time to do so before some of the starting pitching goes elsewhere or maybe that helps u hold onto some of it. Thank you