According to any evaluation, Ha-Seong Kim was one of the best, most complete bowlers on the free agency market this winter. The Padres, according to any evaluation, have already had one of the best, most complete fields. It was apparently not a deterrent. On the contrary, actually. Kim and the Padres are clearly a
The Padres, according to any evaluation, have already had one of the best, most complete fields.
It was apparently not a deterrent. On the contrary, actually. Kim and the Padres are clearly a suitable match.
On Tuesday night, the Padres held an introductory video conference for Kim, who signed a $ 28 million four-year deal last week. Immediately, Kim cut a confident figure, proclaimed the Padres as participants in the World Series and set the goal of winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2021.
Ha-Seong Kim’s dream comes true in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/w7fIivzQHh
– San Diego Padres (@Padres) 6 January 2021
Kim began his press conference by reading a statement in which he tilted his cap to the entire Padres infield – Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Jake Cronenworth and Eric Hosmer – calling them ‘great talents’. Kim was asked almost immediately why he would decide in all four places to join a field of recurring entrees.
“The Padres are not only a competitor, but also [could] becomes the World Series champion this year, “Kim said in Korean through an interpreter.” I want to be part of a winning team. That’s why I joined the San Diego Padres. I can play any position in the interior. ‘
This is exactly the role the Padres want Kim to fulfill. As they see it, there is enough room for a versatile fielder. Players get hurt. Players need rest days. Players bag.
And surely, if all five Padres infielders are healthy at the same time and all five need a place in the starting lineup, it is still possible for Cronenworth or Kim to look in the outfield. But it will take care of itself later.
“We’re coming to Spring Training, we’ll really start digging more when we’re all on the field,” Preller said. “We have a lot of confidence that we have players who can move.
‘Once again, it also goes from 60 matches to [162] games. We talked a lot about this as a group. Last year was truly a sprint. This year is to return to a marathon. … We’re going to keep our players fresh. ‘
Although Kim played briefly and third base highway in Korea, he is likely to see most of his action at second base alongside the Padres. Kim could possibly serve in a peloton with the left Cronenworth.
But Cronenworth has a similar versatility, as he played all four positions in the field last season. It seems more likely that both play regularly, as the Padres give their fielders – and perhaps their outfielders – regular breaks by moving Cronenworth and Kim through the field.
“We’ll look at every possible option and figure it out,” Preller said. ‘But originally and right outside the gate, we see [Kim] as an attacker. ‘
Kim’s glove is not at the level of Cronenworth, who presents himself in four positions as a frontier elite defender. But the Padres expect an above-average defense from Kim on second base. They also expect great things on the board. Kim batted .306 / .397 / .523 with 30 homers in the KBO last season.
It’s quite an addition to an offense that starts in all eight positions and boasts probably the best field in baseball. Kim quickly noticed how eager he was to work with the current four Padres fielders.
“These are good players,” he said. “They have more experience. By just practicing with them and playing with them, I will learn and grow as a player.”
Kim tossed most of his press conference between conflicting emotions – humility for an opportunity he called ‘my dream’ and an endless amount of confidence that he would make the most of it.
Of course, there is no confidence in the Padres field. As newly trained left-back Blake Snell noted last week, the Padres may be the league’s “swaggiest” team. Kim, whose bats are against that of Tatis, is clearly planning to add it.
“It is truly my honor to join the San Diego Padres, the Major Leagues’ best baseball team, with tremendous firepower and excellent hitting power,” Kim said. “2021 will be a wonderful year – for myself and for the Padres.”
Fat. These days, it’s just like the Padres like it.
AJ Cassavell covers the Padres for MLB.com. Follow him on Twitter @ajcassavell.