Infielder has switched his representation, according to a report from . Kim will now be represented by the Boras Corporation going forward. Kim, 29 later this month, is seemingly poised to enter free agency this November. The infielders current contract with the Padres includes a mutual option for the 2025 season but Kim is widely expected to decline that $8MM option in favor of a $2MM buyout and test the open market. It will be Kims first unencumbered trip through free agency after signing with San Diego on a $28MM guarantee prior to the 2021 season after being posted to MLB by the Kiwoom Heroes of South Koreas KBO. While Kim was eligible to sign with any of the leagues 30 clubs for any amount of money, the posting system comes with a few caveats that dont exist for a typical free agent such as the posting fee that must be paid to the players former club and specific windows during which negotiations must take place. Without those restrictions, Kim is likely to enjoy a Elijah Hughes Jersey different experience in his second time through MLBs free agent proce s. Thats also due to his performance on the field, of course, as Kim has emerged as one of the top infield options in this winters cla s thanks to the average offense and excellent defense he flashed during his time in San Diego. Since becoming an everyday player with the Padres in 2022, Kim has slashed a solid .250/.336/.385 thats good for a 106 wRC+, 6% better than the league average hitter. He also flashed the best plate discipline of his career this season with a 12.3% walk rate against an excellent 16.4% strikeout rate, and has chipped in 60 stolen bases in 74 attempts over the past two years. While Kims offensive development since coming to stateside ball has been impre sive, the main selling point of the infielders profile remains his strong defense. Kim ranks 17th among all infielders over the last three years in Outs Above Average with a +21 figure and is the 11th-best infielder over that same timeframe by DRS with a +30 that is only bested by , , and among shortstops during that time. Kims defensive value is further enhanced by his versatility, as he has shown himself to be a quality defender at both second and third base in addition to shortstop. With that being said, Kims outlook in free agency grew quite a bit murkier last week when it was announced that the infielder is set to this offseason. With so much of Kims value tied to his defensive value, the prospect of a major procedure on his throwing shoulder could worry some potential suitors this winter and may complicate a free agency that otherwise appeared to leave Kim in position to secure a strong multi-year guarantee. Its a somewhat unusual situation that Kim will now turn to the Boras Corporation, the agency run by high-profile agent Scott Boras, to navigate. Kim joins other high-profile free agents in the upcoming cla s such as , , and in being represented by Boras, who drew plenty of attention last winter as the free agencies of a handful of his top clients dragged into Spring Training. Each of the so-called Boras Four, comprised of Snell, , , and , wound up taking short-term deals that generally met expectations in terms of average annual value but fell well short in overall guarantee. Its an approach thats drawn mixed reviews, with Montgomery amid a career-worst season with the Diamondbacks while Snell Boras and now appears likely to head into free agency under his guidance for the second time in as many seasons. Chapman signed a with the Giants last month in lieu of returning to the open market this winter while Bellingers upcoming decision on his player option . Should Kims foray into free agency not yield the strong payday that was expected prior to the announcement of his impending shoulder surgery, it wouldnt nece sarily be a surprise to see Kim opt for a shorter-term, option-laden deal with a high average annual value similar to the ones signed by each of those aforementioned players this winter. After all, its a strategy that worked out quite well for Chapman, Snell, and even Boras clients from before last winter such as and . Karl Malone Jersey