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The Seattle Mariners could be the perfect landing spot for San Diego Padres star infielder Ha-Seong Kim this winter.

A person familiar with negotiations says the Tampa Bay Rays and free agent Ha-Seong Kim have agreed to a two-year contract valued at $29 million.

With a deal on Wednesday, the Rays have their shortstop for the upcoming season...and maybe for the foreseeable future.

The New York Yankees had long been reported to eye Padres free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim as a replacement for Gleyber Torres, but Kim went to Tampa Bay.

The Padres already have a shortstop under contract in Xander Bogaerts. Kim, who’ll turn 30, is a better defender than Bogaerts, who’ll be 33 in October. Bogaerts has a much better career track record as a hitter, though it’s notable that his slugging rate has declined each of the past five years.

Ha-Seong Kim may be recovering from shoulder surgery, but the former San Diego Padres infielder still scored a $29 million contract from the Tampa Bay Rays.

Joining the Tampa Bay Rays for $29 million, former San Diego Padres star Ha-Seong Kim has signed a contract for the next two seasons. The versatile So

Kim, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery, is reportedly expected to return to the field in May as the Rays' new shortstop.

The Tampa Bay Rays have agreed to terms with free-agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim on a two-year contract worth $29 million, ESPN reports. The contract includes an opt-out after the first year, which is notable since he's expected to miss the early part of the season after undergoing shoulder surgery in late 2024.