Ha-Seong Kim was, by any rating, one of the best and most complete players in the free agent market this winter. Padres, by any rating, already had one of the best and most complete stadiums. This was clearly not a deterrent. On the contrary, it is true. Kim and Padres A.

Ha Seung KimHe, by any rating, was one of the best and most complete hacks on the free agent market this winter.

Padres, by any rating, already had one of the best and most complete stadiums.

This was clearly not a deterrent. On the contrary, it is true. Kim and Padres clearly fit.

Tuesday night, the Padres held an introductory video conference for Kim, who last week signed a $ 28 million four-year deal. Immediately, Kim cut out a confident figure, declared Padres the contenders for the World Championships, and set a goal to win the Rookie of the Year in 2021.

Ha-Seong Kim’s dream has come true in San Diego. pic.twitter.com/w7fIivzQHh

– San Diego Padres (@PADRICE) January 6, 2021

Kim started his press conference by reading a statement raising his hat to the entire Padres Square – Mani Machado, Fernando Tates Jr., Jake Cronworth and Eric Hosmer – and described them as „great talents“. Almost immediately, Kim was asked why he chose to join a stadium with returning players in all four locations.

“Padres is not only a competitor but [could] Become the champion of this year’s world championships, Kim said in Korean through an interpreter. „I want to be part of a winning team. That’s why I joined San Diego Padres. I can play any position on the field.“

This is exactly the role Padres wants Kim to take on. The way they see it, there is plenty of room for the versatile player. Players get hurt. Players need rest days. Players are holding back.

Sure enough, if all five of Badrice’s players were healthy at the same time, and all five needed a place in the starting line-up, Cronworth or Kim could still catch a glimpse of the field. But this will take care of itself later.

„We’re going to get to spring training, and we’re really going to start looking for more when we’ve got everyone in the field,“ said Briller. „We have a lot of confidence that we have players who will be able to move.

“Once again, you will also go from 60 matches to [162] Toys. We’ve talked a lot about it as a group here. Last year was really a sprint. This year he returns to the marathon. … we will keep our players updated. „

Although Kim played a brief role and a third base in Korea mainly, he will likely see the bulk of his move on second base with Padres. He will likely serve Kim in platoon with the beaten Cronworth.

But Cronworth brings a similar kind of diversity, having played all 4 positions last season. It seems likely that both of them continue to play regularly, as Padres gives their players – and possibly theirs – regular breaths by moving Cronworth and Kim around the field.

„We will look at every possible option and find out,“ Briller said. „ But originally, as soon as you walk out of the gate, we see it [Kim] As a player. „

Kim’s glove is not on the level of Cronworth, who is depicted as a defender of the Frontier Elite in four positions. But Padres expects an above average defense from Kim in second base. They also expect big things on the plate. Kim hit 0.306 / .397 / .523 with 30 Homer last season.

It is an addition to the attack that puts back beginners in all eight positions and prides itself on being the best player in baseball. Kim was quick to notice how keen he was to work with the current quartet of Padres players.

„These are great players,“ he said. „They have more experience. Only by training with them and playing with them, will I learn and develop as a player.“

Kim spent most of his press conference swinging between conflicting feelings – humility for an opportunity he called „my dream“ and an endless source of confidence that he would make the most of.

Of course, there is no shortage of confidence inside the Padres stadium. As newly acquired left-wing Blake Snell suggested last week, Padres may be the „brag“ team in the league. Kim, who flips his bat to compete with Tatis‘ bat, clearly intends to add more to that.

“It is truly an honor for me to join San Diego Padres, the best baseball team in the major leagues, with tremendous firepower and excellent advice,” said Kim. „2021 will be a great year – for me and for Padres.“

In bold. These days, this is how Badrice loves him.