CBS Sports Ha-Seong Kim prediction might telegraph Padres’ trade endeavors

Earlier this week, R.J. Anderson of CBS Sports released his too-early 2025 MLB free agency predictions. While the San Diego Padres fanbase is just waiting for their team to make a move this offseason, Anderson is already looking toward next offseason.

And why not? Sports fans are notorious for having one eye on the present and another eye on the future. Padres fans don't necessarily know what to think about this year's team and are hopeful that the 2025 season offers a bit more hope.

One player who's been in the rumor mill of late is Ha-Seong Kim. The Friars infielder has been the subject of trade rumors recently, and with good reason. San Diego's infield is chock-full of talented, highly-compensated players. But CBS Sports' free agent prediction may give Padres' fans a glimpse into the front office's plans for Kim moving forward.

CBS Sports predicts Padres work out extension with Ha-Seong Kim

CBS Sports is predicting that the Padres will find a way to extend Ha-Seong Kim beyond the 2024 season. If that prediction is accurate, it seems a trade would be unlikely. The outlet cites Padres President of Baseball Operations A.J. Preller's unique ability to always get what he wants.

No one is going to confuse Kim for a middle-of-the-order power-hitter; the Padres have plenty of those guys up and down the lineup. But Kim, whose contract contains a mutual-option for the 2025 season, has produced solid numbers in back-to-back seasons with an emphasis on defense and putting the ball in play.

Kim's value cannot be overstated, and while trading the 28-year-old could help the Padres restock the farm system, Preller already got some nice pieces back in return from the New York Yankees after dealing Juan Soto earlier this offseason.

The Padres have been said to be shopping Kim this winter, and while Preller is the type of baseball executive that will listen to almost any and every offer, he'd have to be blown away in order to deal his Gold Glove Award-winning infielder.

Padres fans will be glad to start the 2024 season, if for no other reason, just to put the trade speculation surrouding Kim to bed. The Friars faithful hope that CBS Sports' prognostication is accurate, allowing Kim to lineup on the infield dirt in San Diego for the upcoming season and beyond.