Padres Gold Glove Winner On Trade Block; Red Sox Are Logical Landing Spot
The Boston Red Sox are in the middle of what has become an incredibly disappointing offseason.
After promises of a "full throttle" retooling, the Red Sox appear to be as frugal as ever. They are on pace to remain under the luxury tax for the second year in a row -- delaying the window of contention for reasons unknown.
If Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is hamstrung by ownership's ludicrous budgetary limitations, he'll have to do his damage in the trade market.
To resolve the search for another right-handed bat, they could call a team out West.
"The San Diego Padres continue to shop valuable infielder Ha-Seong Kim, who earns $8 million in the final year of his contract, in their attempt to land pitching," USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote Sunday.
Kim hit .260 with 40 extra-base hits including 17 home runs, 60 RBIs and a .749 OPS (110 OPS+) in 152 games last season.
The 28-year-old's greatest asset, however, is his glove. Kim won the National League Gold Glove Award in the utility man category after posting 10 defensive runs saved at second base and three at both shortstop and third base.
Despite a roster loaded with superstars such as Juan Soto, Manny Machado and Xander Bogaerts, Kim led the Padres position players with a 5.8 bWAR last season.
Kim would be perfect to slot into second base while allowing newly acquired Vaughn Grissom to be a semi-regular designated hitter. The trade would also allow Rafael Devers to man the designated hitter role more often while Kim plays third base and Grissom continues to develop at second base.
An everyday defensive alignment with Trevor Story and Kim up the middle would drastically improve the defense from a season ago.
The Red Sox missed out on signing Kim years ago as an international free agent and would be wise to get him into the organization with the intention of keeping him around long-term.
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