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4 hours ago
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If you watched the New York Yankees' series against the Boston Red Sox this weekend, you might have thought this team could use a bit more infield defense.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. is readjusting to third base, and he made a throwing error on Sunday night that could have proved costly. Meanwhile, aging second baseman DJ LeMahieu failed to get to a few ground balls that better defenders would have easily nabbed.
Third base and second base both look like reasonable positions for the Yankees to target at the trade deadline. But what if there's someone available who could do both?
Tampa Bay Rays infielder Ha Seong Kim has't played yet this season due to shoulder surgery, but he's been a trade candidate all along because of the team he signed with. He's got a two-year, $29 million contract, but he can opt out after the 2025 season.
In a recent article, Sara Molnick made the case that the Yankees could swing a trade with their rivals for the 2023 utility Gold Glover.
"While (Kim's) offensive numbers are modest, his glove work and ability to play multiple infield positions make him a valuable asset for the Yankees," Molnick wrote. "His contract status and the Rays' willingness to deal within the division could be hurdles."
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The 29-year-old Kim is a WAR machine. He racked up 15.1 bWAR in his four years with the San Diego Padres, despite missing about 40 games in his first and last seasons. He's got a 99 career OPS+, and league-average offense is extremely valuable from an elite and versatile defender like Kim.
There are a lot of "ifs" involved, but Kim joining the Yankees for the stretch run would be a huge shot in the arm.
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