Kim Ha-seong Projected to Sign Modest 2027 Deal
Baseball America forecasts a one-year, $10 million contract for the veteran shortstop after a difficult 2026 season.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
Baseball America analyzed the 2027 free agent shortstop market and predicted Kim Ha-seong will sign a one-year, $10 million contract. Kim had his worst season since joining the majors in 2026 and did not appear among the top 30 free agents named by MLB.com, The Athletic, or Major League Trade Rumors.
Why it matters
Kim's projected short-term deal reflects uncertainty after a down year despite strong performance from 2022 to 2024. The analysis suggests he will need to rebuild his value on a one-year prove-it contract.
Baseball America projects a one-year, $10 million contract, while Andrelton Simmons signed a comparable one-year, $10.5 million deal with the Minnesota Twins after the 2020 season. Whether a club meets that projection has not been established.
The players
Kim Ha-seong
Kim Ha-seong is a veteran infielder who has played shortstop in the major leagues and is a 2027 free agent.
Andrelton Simmons
Andrelton Simmons is a former major league shortstop known for elite defense, who signed a one-year contract with the Minnesota Twins after the 2020 season.
Baseball America
Baseball America is a long-running publication covering amateur and professional baseball, known for its prospect and player evaluations.
The details
Baseball America placed Kim behind J.P. Crawford and Mauricio Dubón in its shortstop breakdown and compared him to Simmons, attributing his slump to timing issues rather than declining ability. The outlet noted Kim's bat speed has increased and said he could be the best shortstop on the 2027 market in pure talent.
Timeline
2020 season: Simmons's injury, batting collapse, and defensive decline occurred.
2022 to 2024: Kim Ha-seong performed exceptionally.
2026: Kim had his worst season since joining the majors.
November 3, 2026 (Korean time): Baseball America published its 2027 shortstop analysis.
2027: The free agent market in which Kim is expected to sign.
Market Landscape
Kim's projected one-year deal mirrors the modest prove-it contract Andrelton Simmons signed with the Minnesota Twins after the 2020 season. The comparison shows how veteran shortstops with recent slumps often earn short, incentive-driven deals before re-entering the market.
For fantasy and roster planning, a one-year $10 million deal would keep Kim on a short horizon and leave his 2027 team uncertain. Readers tracking shortstop depth should watch whether a club commits to the projected price.
The takeaway
Veteran shortstops coming off a poor season often rebuild value on one-year contracts, and Kim's bat speed improvement could be the key to a stronger 2027 showing.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on the league's free agent market.
