Washington Nationals linked to Gold Glove shortstop in MLB free agency

Washington Nationals are entering the offseason on the heels of another 71-win season in which the team missed the playoffs for the fifth straight season.

Since winning the World Series in 2019, when the team won 93 regular-season games, Washington has just wasn’t competitive even in the National League East, let alone anything more significant than the division. In fact, consecutive 71-win seasons were the most the team had won in a season since the title year.

Major roster improvements are needed to once again become a legitimate playoff contender, and this could be a crucial offseason that changes the direction of the team’s future in both positive and negative ways. One name that might work is San Diego. Padres Gold Glove Free Agent Ha-Seong Kim. Bennett Lehmann of District On Deck named Kim as someone citizens should go after after he backed out of the San Diego deal.

“What makes him such a potentially valuable asset to this team is his defensive prowess and versatility,” Lehmann wrote. A Gold Glove Award winner among National League shortstops last season, he is a first-time gloveman who could be a breath of fresh air in centerfield for the Nationals. Kim, who arrived from South Korea in 2020, has had a very solid MLB career in his 4 seasons with the Padres. During his career he has slash .242/.326/.380, good for a .706 OPS to go with 47 homers and 78 stolen bases.”

Kim declined his $8 million option with the Padres, indicating that he could expect either a significant salary increase, a long-term commitment, or both. Even though he’s only 29 years old, locking Kim up for a few years isn’t a bad idea. Spotrac ratings his potential market value is just under $50 million over four years, a contract that obviously isn’t a pocket-size giveaway but isn’t unaffordable either.

Lehmann also mentioned that bringing in Kim would allow Washington to move forward. C.J. Abrams at second base for a long time, which could give the team one of the best middle infields in baseball.

Keep an eye on the Kim Nationals as the offers start to roll in.