3 reasons why the SF Giants would appeal to a slick-fielding shortstop

3 reasons why the SF Giants would appeal to a slick-fielding shortstop

3. The Giants have an Obvious Need at Shortstop

The Giants have an obvious need at shortstop. Buster Posey clearly stated that the Giants would be targeting a shortstop this winter, meaning that Tyler Fitzgerald will move off of that position. Depending on how they view Fitzgerald, both middle infield positions could be up for grabs.

Ha-Seong Kim underwent shoulder surgery in October and is eyeing a return early in 2025. That could prove to be an obstacle to him landing a long-term deal. Teams could be hesitant and might want to see what he looks like both defensively and offensively following surgery.

Kim has flashed a relatively strong throwing arm during his career and that arm strength is key to being a good shortstop. The surgery was done on his throwing shoulder, so he will need to show that his arm strength is back to normal when he returns.

This could pave the way for a shorter-term deal with a chance to opt out after the first season. If Kim performs well, he may want to re-enter free agency with the chance of landing a bigger payday.

Of course, that payday could be dependent on what position he plays. Second base tends to be an easier position to fill, whereas finding a solid shortstop is much more difficult.

If the Giants sign the four-year veteran, it would pretty obviously be at shortstop. He has a strong track record at shortstop as he has been worth +24 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS), +11 Outs Above Average (OAA), and +8 Fielding Run Value (FRV).

These are strong numbers and much better than what the Giants got from their shortstops in 2024. That unit was worth -11 DRS, -3 OAA, and -2 FRV. Teams cannot overlook defense at a premium position like shortstop but that was one of the many issues for the Giants last season.

Joining San Francisco likely offers a better opportunity to show what he can do at shortstop following surgery than some other organizations.