{"id":284147,"date":"2025-11-10T23:21:11","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T23:21:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/284147\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T23:21:11","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T23:21:11","slug":"mlb-trade-rumors-new-york-yankees-potentially-interested-in-29-million-ex-tampa-bay-rays-star-to-fight-injuries-and-improve-rotation-mlb-news","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/284147\/","title":{"rendered":"MLB trade rumors: New York Yankees potentially interested in $29 million ex Tampa Bay Rays star to fight injuries and improve rotation | MLB News"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"MLBNew York Yankees at Houston Astros (Image via Imagn Images). The New York Yankees are heading into the 2026 MLB season with a major setback, as rising star Anthony Volpe is expected to miss the start of the campaign following shoulder surgery. After an inconsistent 2025 season that left fans frustrated, the Yankees now face another challenge at a position that was already a concern last year – shortstop. With Volpe sidelined for several months, the team\u2019s front office is once again under pressure to find a dependable replacement capable of stabilizing the infield.That search has quickly turned toward Ha-Seong Kim, the $16 million Gold Glove winner who recently became a free agent. Known for his defensive excellence and versatility, Kim\u2019s name has surfaced as a prime target for the Yankees as they look to fill the temporary void left by Volpe. His ability to play multiple infield roles and contribute consistently on both sides of the ball makes him a strong candidate to help New York stay competitive until their young star returns.<\/p>\n

Anthony Volpe\u2019s Injury Timeline Raises Concerns<\/p>\n

According to ESPN\u2019s Jorge Castillo, \u201cYankees manager Aaron Boone said Thursday that Volpe won\u2019t swing a bat for at least four months and will be unable to dive on his surgically repaired left shoulder for six months. Cashman added that the Yankees hope Volpe will be ready \u2018sometime in April; maybe, worst-case scenario, May.\u2019 The Yankees open the 2026 season in San Francisco against the Giants on March 25.\u201d (H\/t: Sporting News)\"Anthony<\/p>\n

Anthony Volpe of New York Yankees (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n

This update means the Yankees will begin the year without their young shortstop, prompting the front office to look for a short-term fix or insurance option who can handle the defensive demands of the position.<\/p>\n

Ha-Seong Kim Emerges as a Top Target<\/p>\n

Ha-Seong Kim, who recently opted out of his $16 million player option, has become one of the most intriguing names on the market. Known for his defensive excellence and versatility, Kim could be a natural fit for New York as they look to solidify their infield.As Yanks Go Yard\u2019s Adam Weinrib explained, \u201cIf they sign Kim this offseason, they\u2019ll be able to plug both Caballero and Kim into multiple roles as the week unfurls. They\u2019ll have more opportunities to get creative. And, yes, they\u2019ll have a Gold Glover who can play shortstop on days when Caballero slots in elsewhere, plus a right-handed platoon solution for Ryan McMahon.\u201dKim\u2019s defensive reliability and experience make him a valuable asset for any contender, and the Yankees could benefit from his ability to cover multiple infield positions while offering consistent production.<\/p>\n

Ha-Seong Kim\u2019s Contract and Career Overview<\/p>\n

DetailInformatione Player Ha-Seong Kim Age 30 (as of 2026 season) Previous Team Atlanta Braves (after being claimed off waivers from Tampa Bay Rays) 2026 Option Opted out of $16 million Awards Gold Glove Award Winner Former Team Success San Diego Padres \u2013 peak performance years<\/p>\n

Former Team Success San Diego Padres \u2013 peak performance years<\/p>\n

\"Ha-Seong<\/p>\n

Ha-Seong Kim when he was in San Diego Padres (Image via Getty)<\/p>\n

Braves insider Mark Bowman added, \u201cKim became a free agent on Monday when he opted out of his $16 million option for the 2026 season. For the Braves, this simply erases the exclusive negotiating rights they held since they had claimed the former Gold Glove Award winner off waivers from the Rays on Sept. 1.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yankees vs. Braves: Market Competition Expected<\/p>\n

While the Yankees seem to be a natural landing spot given their immediate need, Kim\u2019s market is expected to be competitive. The Braves could still attempt to re-sign him, especially if they can guarantee an everyday starting role.For the Yankees, the challenge lies in balancing roster flexibility with long-term plans for Volpe\u2019s return. If Kim is offered a primary role elsewhere, New York may have to outbid or out-promise competitors to secure his services.<\/p>\n

Why Ha-Seong Kim Makes Sense for the Yankees<\/p>\n

\u2022 Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop \u2022 Ability to play multiple infield positions \u2022 Right-handed bat complements current lineup balance \u2022 Provides short-term stability while Volpe recovers \u2022 Allows Aaron Boone tactical flexibility during the seasonAlso read: MLB trade rumors: Baltimore Orioles predicted to sign $53 million Chicago Cubs All-Star to bolster squad and improve title odds<\/a>Ha-Seong Kim\u2019s free agency adds intrigue to an already critical offseason for the Yankees. With Anthony Volpe sidelined until at least April, signing a proven defender like Kim could bridge the gap while enhancing their infield depth. However, with other suitors like the Braves in the mix, the Yankees will need to act swiftly if they hope to land the $16 million Gold Glover and avoid another year of uncertainty at shortstop.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"New York Yankees at Houston Astros (Image via Imagn Images). The New York Yankees are heading into the…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":284148,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[150083,2111,67648,363,34977,369,99],"class_list":{"0":"post-284147","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-mlb","8":"tag-anthony-volpe-injury","9":"tag-atlanta-braves","10":"tag-ha-seong-kim","11":"tag-mlb","12":"tag-mlb-trade-rumors","13":"tag-new-york-yankees","14":"tag-sports"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284147","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=284147"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/284147\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/284148"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=284147"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=284147"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=284147"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}