Padres Gold Glover could be perfect fit for Tigers' infield carousel

As the Tigers wade into hot stove season this year, it's becoming clearer that the stove might stay at a low simmer (at best) in Detroit. Scott Harris talked a big game at the beginning of the offseason, but it seems like the front office is going back to their usual routine: develop the young players, sign free agents to short-term deals.

It worked on some level this year, and we do have to give Harris some credit for that, but fans can still be rightfully upset that the Tigers seemingly aren't going to take their 2024 success as a sign from the universe that now is the time to be bold and spend big.

Still, there are some free agents out there who could fit the bill, who are only looking at one- or two-year deals and might be fixer-uppers but have some upside.

Utility infielder Ha-Seong Kim was very loosely connected to the Tigers this past season, and he's officially a free agent after declining his end of a mutual option with the Padres. As a shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman who won a Gold Glove and earned MVP votes in 2023 but was hurt for a chunk of 2024, he could be a high-risk, potentially high-reward candidate to join the infield.

Free agent Ha-Seong Kim could be a useful addition to Tigers' revolving infield

Kim went down with shoulder inflammation in late August and underwent labrum surgery in late September, by which point his numbers had dipped to .233/.330/.370. But he still posted elite chase, whiff, strikeout, and walk rates, and was ranked in the 85th percentile for his defense in the infield. He's not a slugger, which the Tigers do need, but he's an on-base and speed threat who could turn opportunities into runs if the front office follows up and signs a player with some much-needed power.

If the Tigers signed Kim, he'd presumably go into a platoon role at second and third with some combination of Zach McKinstry, Matt Vierling, Colt Keith, and Andy Ibáñez, playing a role much like Gio Urshela's during the first half of the 2024 season. He's also be able to fill in at short should the Javy Baez/Trey Sweeney situation fails to materialize.

Kim doesn't have an exact timeline to return after surgery, which is where the risk comes in. However, he does seem like a guy the Tigers would feel inclined to take a flyer on in hopes of fixing him up. They need a veteran with plate discipline, and Kim fills out that profile nicely.