The era of speculative fanboy-ing over a Ha-Seong Kim, Jung-Hoo Lee bromance in the Orange-and-Black is officially over.
Infielder Ha-Seong Kim and the Tampa Bay Rays are in agreement on a two-year, $29 million contract that includes an opt-out after the first season, sources tell ESPN. Kim is coming off shoulder surgery but is expected to return in May and slated to take over at shortstop.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) January 29, 2025
The Tampa Bay Rays, curiously in need of shortstop, shelled out for the 29 year-old Gold Glover: matching the $28 million contract (with an added cherry on top) that Kim originally signed with San Diego in 2020 for half the years and generous perks tacked on.