The Philadelphia Phillies have a massive job ahead of them this offseason. We’re talking about fixing the roster, filling holes, and making real upgrades to prove to their fans they’re a team worth trusting. And right now, there’s a big question mark forming around one reported target. Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia is reporting that the Phillies are looking at free agent Ha-Seong Kim to boost their infield depth. But let me tell you, if the source material is right, this move would be a huge mistake for them. Kim just doesn’t bring what this team needs.
Kim’s Derailed 2026 Season: A Cause for Major Concern
Salisbury’s sources say the Phillies are “eyeing that type of player” in Ha-Seong Kim, an infielder who’s been with the Padres, Rays, and Braves. Yeah, he won a Gold Glove in his career, and sure, he’s had some nice moments. But those glory days? They’re long gone. After signing a one-year, $20 million deal with the Braves last offseason, his 2026 season went completely off the rails. He suffered a freak injury in Korea, a torn tendon in his middle finger, that forced him to miss a significant chunk of time. And the numbers? They scream trouble.
With the Braves in 2026, Kim put up a shocking negative 0.7 bWAR across just 129 at-bats. That’s not just bad, that’s actively hurting the team. His defense, which was once his calling card, wasn’t good. Offensively, it was a disaster: he hit a paltry .116 with zero home runs and a truly terrible .359 OPS. You’ve got to wonder why the Phillies would even consider someone with those kinds of recent stats, despite the reported interest.
The Numbers Don’t Lie: Offensive Struggles Are Real
Beyond his injury-plagued 2026, Kim’s offensive struggles have been consistent over the past two seasons. His OPS stands at .524, which is well below league average. His 47 OPS+ shows his offensive value was less than half of what a league-average hitter provides. Think about that for a second: less than half. The Phillies need to be smart about their roster moves, especially with Alec Bohm and Edmundo Sosa both hitting free agency and creating those infield holes. They’d be much better off promoting talent from their minor league system or taking a shot on a cheaper, less risky option.
Sure, there’s a chance that the torn tendon completely messed up his 2026 season, and he could bounce back a year removed from the injury. He *might* play at a higher level. But even if he makes a dramatic improvement, the consensus is he’d probably be an average hitter at best. He could potentially offer decent defensive upside if he returns to his prior form there, but his overall value is absolutely worth questioning. If the Phillies are considering him as a bench option, maybe, like Sosa’s role was last season. But if they’re looking to rely on Kim as a starter? That interest is a huge gamble, and it could cost them dearly.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
Leave a Reply