The New York Yankees, who parted ways with Gleyber Torres after a seven-year tenure, now find themselves facing a challenge in replacing the second baseman who made his mark as an All-Star in 2018. Torres, who finished third in Rookie of the Year voting that year, signed a one-year, $15 million deal with the Detroit Tigers just after Christmas, marking the end of his time in New York.
With just over a month before spring training begins, the Yankees have yet to announce a definitive plan for filling the hole left in their middle infield. While they were reportedly interested in Gavin Lux, the second baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and even engaged in talks with Brendan Rodgers, a former Gold Glove winner with the Colorado Rockies, neither deal materialized. In light of these setbacks, the Yankees are now being linked to Ha-Seong Kim, a former San Diego Padres infielder.
Kim, who recently earned a Gold Glove at second base for the Padres, would come at a more affordable price tag than Torres, with an estimated $49 million contract over four years, or about $12.3 million annually. Kim, known for his impressive plate discipline and baserunning, is seen as a potential dynamic contributor to the Yankees’ offense, especially if he joins forces with Aaron Judge in the lineup. He also brings versatility, capable of filling in at third base when needed, and would provide an upgrade in both defense and offensive production.
Kim’s numbers also compare favorably with Torres. In 2024, Kim posted a Wins Above Replacement (WAR) of 2.6, outperforming Torres, who had 1.8 despite playing 33 more games. Over a 162-game season, Kim’s WAR would be 3.5, while Torres would have a 1.9, making Kim a potential upgrade for the Yankees at a more cost-effective price.
As the Yankees continue to search for a solution at second base, the buzz around Kim’s potential signing is growing, with some fans already hopeful that he will be the answer to their middle infield dilemma.
