South Korean player Kim Ha Seong, 29, has found a new home with the Tampa Bay Rays in Major League Baseball (MLB). After failing to make the postseason last season, Tampa Bay has shown its determination to bounce back by offering Kim the highest salary on the team.
According to MLB.com on Thursday, sources reported that Kim signed a two-year contract worth a total of $29 million.
In the first year of the contract, Kim will earn $13 million, followed by $16 million in 2026. His contract also includes a clause granting him an additional $2 million if he reaches 325 plate appearances this season. Furthermore, an opt-out clause allows him to terminate the contract after one year and become a free agent again.
Tampa Bay, known for its cost-effective approach, made a significant financial commitment to Kim. His $13 million salary for this year is the highest on the team.
According to ESPN, Kim’s first-year salary is the highest guaranteed amount Tampa Bay has given to a free-agent player since signing outfielder Greg Vaughn to a four-year, $34 million contract in 1999.
Moreover, Kim is undergoing rehabilitation from a shoulder injury he sustained last season. Local reports suggest that he may return as early as May.
Despite his limited availability this season and the possibility that he may leave the team next year, Tampa Bay has made its highest free-agent investment in 26 years. This highlights the franchise’s strong confidence in Kim.
Despite being a small-market team, Tampa Bay has consistently achieved strong results through strategic investments, establishing itself as a powerhouse in the American League East. Although the franchise was founded in 1998, it has made the postseason nine times in the past 17 seasons since its first playoff appearance in 2008.
From 2019 to 2023, Tampa Bay showcased its consistency by reaching the postseason for five consecutive years.
However, the team finished last season with an 80-82 record, falling below a .500 winning percentage. Tampa Bay ended the season in fourth place in the division, failing to secure a playoff spot for the first time in six years.
During the offseason, the Rays made minor roster adjustments, including signing catcher Danny Jansen and acquiring left-handed pitcher Jeffrey Springs from the Athletics in a trade. However, their unexpected signing of Kim Ha Seong underscores their determination to return to the postseason.
With Kim’s addition, Tampa Bay has built a solid infield lineup featuring Yandy Díaz (first base), Brandon Lowe (second base), Kim Ha Seong (shortstop), and Junior Caminero (third base).
ESPN projected that until Kim returns from injury, shortstops José Caballero and Taylor Walls, who played the position last season, will temporarily fill the gap.