Toronto Blue Jays should try to acquire Ha-Sung Kim

After missing out on Shohei Ohtani (29-LA Dodgers), the Toronto Blue Jays should try to acquire Ha-Sung Kim (28-San Diego Padres), according to local media.

Sportsnet, a local Canadian media outlet, listed a number of players that Toronto could acquire in a trade to bolster its offense. After matching the Dodgers’ record-breaking offer of 10 years and $700 million for Ohtani, the Jays are now faced with a Plan B. They’ll have to find a way to get him back.

“With Ohtani choosing the Dodgers, Toronto is likely to be active in the trade market to bolster its lineup,” said Sportsnet. The Jays are still looking for pitching, and could potentially land 25-year-old Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto, but their focus will be on bolstering their lineup.

Of the remaining free agents

Slugger Cody Bellinger would seem to be the best buy, but his price tag is high and he’s coming off a three-year slump and a one-year rebound. As a result, Sportsnet believes Toronto will look to the trade market, with Louis Robert Jr. (Chicago White Sox), Pete Alonso (New York Mets), Ty France (Seattle Mariners), and San Diego infielders Ha Sung Kim and Jake Cronenweth as possible targets.

Sportsnet reported, “With the trade of Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, San Diego is open for business. While it will be difficult to move long-term players like Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts and Fernando Tatis Jr. Kim Ha Sung and Cronenwirth are not power hitters who could restore the offense to its former glory, but both could bring great value to the team’s infield.

As for Kim, Sportsnet wrote, “Coming off a career-high season with 17 homers and 38 doubles to go along with a 4.4 fWAR, Kim is a low-risk target. He’s a natural shortstop who also shined at second and third base. The 28-year-old is under contract through next year if his 2025 mutual option ($7 million) is not exercised. He’s an expensive short-term rental, but he’s worth acquiring with a long-term extension in mind,” said a source close to the deal, noting that he’s only a year away from free agency, but that acquiring him in a trade would allow the team to envision a long-term extension.

As for Cronenwirth,

“Despite a down season this year, the 29-year-old was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022, posting 4.2 fWAR in each. The left fielder is a versatile defender and is reportedly willing to sign an extension that would pay him $7 million next year, $11 million in 2025 and $12 million in each of 2026 and 2030. That’s a long contract for a player in his 30s, but it could be a good deal if he’s a starter for at least half of that time. His best position is second base, but he can also play first base and has experience at shortstop.

“Both Kim and Cronenwirth are high OBP infielders who could make an immediate impact for Toronto and fill a gap in the team’s current lineup,” said Sportsnet. Cronenwirth is a low-cost, long-term risk. Kim is stable, but could be a one-year stopgap,” he said, adding the pros and cons of the trade.