Phillies showing interest free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim

Atlanta Braves shortstop Ha-Seong Kim. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Phillies showing interest free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Nov 9, 2026 2:55 PM ET

The Philadelphia Phillies are looking to bolster their infield depth.

According to NBC Sports Philadelphia's Jim Salisbury, they are targeting free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim.

Specifically, they are looking to add insurance at shortstop as Trea Turner's defense in 2026 took a significant downturn. He recorded a -10 Outs Above Average (OAA) that sat poorly in the third percentile.

President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has already spoken with Turner about how he needs to drastically improve his defense at shortstop. If he doesn't he will likely be shifted to either second base, third base or the outfield.

If the Phillies do decide to move Turner, Kim would be a versatile replacement. Kim carries significant MLB experience at shortstop, second and third and won a Gold Glove in 2023. During that season he recorded a nine OAA with a field running value of six.

Phillies need infield depth. They’ve shown interest in this guy.
— Jim Salisbury (@JimSalisbury215) November 9, 2026

Ha-Seong Kim is an intriguing low-risk, high-reward option for the Phillies

Kim, 31, is coming off an injury-riddled 2026 campaign with the Atlanta Braves, where he was limited to 51 games following a major finger injury. He posted an abysmal .116/.219/.140 slash line.

Considering his down season, he is viewed as a low-risk, high-reward option who has the capability to make a comeback in a new environment on a short-term deal. In 2025, he posted a more respectable slash line of .234/.304/.335, though he was limited to 48 games. During his Gold Glove season in 2023, he also had his best offensive season, slashing .260/.351/.368 while posting career-highs in home runs (17), RBI (60) and stolen bases (38) in 152 games. He finished 14th in MVP voting that season.

In 121 games 2024, he boasted an 18.7% chase rate that sat in the 97th percentile as well as a 12.3% walk rate (96th percentile).

On an expensive roster that includes Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and J.T. Realmuto, the Phillies will need to find some value. If Kim could approach his 2023 and 2024 numbers, he could prove to be a key value piece for the Phillies or another club.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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