Chicago Cubs: Five free agents the team needs, but can’t afford

Chicago Cubs: Kim could really solidify a consistent infield

Ha-seong Kim probably isn’t a name Cubs fans have heard much about, but it’s one worth filing away for a rainy day should the Cubs (or more likely, another team they play) decide to sign the South Korean KBO star.

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Kim is a compact little firecracker who plays shortstop, runs well, has some serious pop for his size, and plays a decent shortstop with an above average arm. Now, the Cubs won’t need him to play shortstop (as long as, god forbid, they don’t move El Mago), but it’s very possible he could play second or even third if Kris Bryant gets moved somehow. Adding a shortstop anywhere else on the infield would certainly benefit the defense, and that’s an area where the Cubs already did pretty well last season.

Kim is only 25 years old, so he’s still super young for a guy looking to come over to the states for the first time. He has averaged over 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in all of his full seasons in the KBO, and even smacked 30 bombs last year to go along with 109 RBI, 75 BB and a .308/.399/.526 slash line. Now, there’s no telling how his KBO numbers will translate to MLB, but it’s clear the guy is patient, has some pop, and he’s young.

The problem, of course, is that all of those things will also price him out of the Cubs range. There’s no way the Cubs will be in on Kim, as he’s likely to get a four or five year deal at over $10 million per, along with a posting fee that will no doubt be pricey. Hey, at least we won’t have to worry about another Descalso signing, amirite?