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Yankees predicted to land $28 million Gold Glover after losing Gleyber Torres

The New York Yankees and Gleyber Torres never seemed destined for a reunion, but his departure wasn’t official until Friday.

Torres signed with the Detroit Tigers on a one-year contract, and the Yankees are still one infielder short with one more option off the board. Even if Torres wasn’t their first choice, his signing should help increase New York’s urgency to land their missing piece.

Thankfully, the Yankees have flexibility because of Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s ability to move around the infield. Chisholm, the Yankees’ third baseman during the 2024 playoff run, spent his entire pre-Yankees big-league career at second base and in center field. 

If the Yankees want even more flexibility, they can look into signing Ha Seong Kim. The ex-San Diego Padres Gold Glover is recovering from labrum surgery, but should be ready to go at some point during the first half of the 2025 season.

On Friday, Colin Cerniglia of Yardbarker predicted that the Yankees would sign Kim to be their new third baseman, moving Chisholm back to his natural position of second base.

“Kim’s glove continues to dazzle, and he compiled a stellar 6.9 fWAR in 2023-24 with the San Diego Padres,” Cerniglia said. “His bat doesn’t dazzle (.242 career average), but his versatility and defensive value are unmatched.”

“Prediction: The Yankees will shift Jazz Chisholm Jr. to second base and add Kim to anchor their infield at third, solving two problems at once.”

Kim, 29, just finished up a four-year, $28 million contract with San Diego, where he dazzled with his glove and proved adequate at the plate. He won a utility Gold Glove in 2023, and can play any infield position at an elite level.

Allowing Chisholm to move to second while inserting Kim’s glove at third would give the Yankees one of the best defensive infields in the league, a huge step forward after their infield defense cost them so frequently in 2024.

It’s tough to say what the price tag looks like for Kim at the moment, but the Yankees would be wise to set the market to make sure he lands in the Bronx.

More MLB: Full signing details: 2-time Yankees All-Star Gleyber Torres leaving Bronx for Tigers

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