San Diego Padres signing Ha-Seong Kim, per reports

MLB Rumors: Ha-seong Kim and the San Diego Padres have agreed to terms on a free agent deal, per reports. The infielder from the KBO was said by Joel Sherman earlier today to be expected to get $7-8 million per year on a multi-year deal, with the Padres being the front-runner.

The Padres reportedly are planning on putting the 25 year old Kim, who was a shortstop in Korea, at second base. The consensus seemed to be that Kim would be stretched defensively at shortstop in the major leagues, and thus either second base or third base would be a better fit for him.

Kim was considered the top major league prospect in the KBO, and his posting this offseason provided his club, the Kiwoom Heroes, to get some financial compensation, as they get a percentage of the overall deal Kim signs. Kim is not subject to J-2 restrictions due to his age.

Kim was the #17 player on Keith Law’s free agent board, saying that his best use would be as a super-utility guy rather than as a regular. Kiley McDaniel had Kim at #16 on his free agent list, projecting a 5 year, $20 million deal, pegging him as a “low-end starting shortstop” or a “nice-to-have utility piece” depending on your point of view.