Tigers interested in $45 million former Braves, Padres Gold Glove shortstop

Matt Sullivan

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Tigers interested in $45 million former Braves, Padres Gold Glove shortstop image

The Detroit Tigers are the focus of teams around Major League Baseball over the Tarik Skubal trade rumors, but regardless of those rumors, the Tigers are looking to make additions to the roster.

Detroit has been linked to infielder Alex Bregman this winter, but his expensive market might make things tricky for the Tigers to manage, depending on their other moves.

However, Evan Petzold of The Detroit Free Press reports that the Tigers are showing interest in a different infielder. One who's projected to make upwards of $45 million, and previously played for the Atlanta Braves and San Diego Padres.

Tigers interested in ex-Braves, Padres shortstop projected to make $45 million

"The Detroit Tigers have interest in shortstop Ha-Seong Kim in free agency, according to a person with knowledge of the situation," Petzold reports.

The Tigers' interest in an infielder is hardly a surprise, as it was the position of need heading into last year's trade deadline, and this offseason as well.

But, instead of landing Bregman, the top name on the market, the Tigers could instead land Ha-Seong Kim, who's significantly more affordable.

"The 30-year-old Kim declined his $16 million player option with the Atlanta Braves to return to the open market in the 2025-2026 offseason," Petzold writes, "suggesting he could seek at least two years and $30 million, if not three years, $45 million."

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While Kim's new deal could reach upwards of $45 million over three years, that would be more than enough to justify signing the former Padres and Braves infielder.

Kim is coming off an abbreviated season in 2025, playing just 48 games total, 24 each with the Braves and Tampa Bay Rays. He finished the year with a.649 OPS and was well below his typical production.

In the four years before San Diego, Kim had an OPS of.706 across 540 games and put up a combined 15.1 bWAR during that stretch.

While his offensive output isn't the best, his calling card is great defense, good base running, and decent hitting to justify a defense-first player.

The Tigers are interested in Kim, and he's a player worth keeping a close eye on this winter as the plans of Scott Harris and the Tigers front office come to fruition.

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Staff Writer