Ha-Seong Kim will become a free agent after declining his mutual option with the San Diego Padres, according to Dennis Lin of The Athletic.The 2025 option was reportedly worth $7 million.Kim, 29, originally signed a four-year, $28-million contract before the 2021 campaign coming out of Korea. The mutual option would've pushed the deal to a five-year, $35-million pact.Kim hit .242/.326/.380 with 47 homers and 78 stolen bases in 540 career games over four years with San Diego. He won a Gold Glove as a utility man in 2023 and earned down-ballot MVP consideration.He posted a .700 OPS (96 OPS+) with 11 home runs and 22 steals in 121 games this past campaign before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery in late September. He played only shortstop in 2024 after moving around the diamond in previous seasons.He'll become one of the most sought-after shortstops on the open market this winter alongside Willy Adames.
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