As the San Diego Padres reel from a brutal season finale, the franchise finds itself on thin ice as both Ha-Seong Kim and Joe Musgrove undergo season-defining surgeries, leaving the team with massive gaps to fill. With Kim’s labrum surgery throwing his free agency value into chaos, the Padres face losing one of their most versatile infielders just as his contract would have commanded multi-year offers at a premium.
For Musgrove, the news is equally severe. The ace righty underwent Tommy John surgery, likely sidelining him for all of 2025—a crushing blow to a rotation already spread thin. With Musgrove’s $20 million annual salary still on the books, the Padres are left scrambling for reliable arms as they try to avoid a repeat of this season’s brutal struggles.
Ha-Seong Kim: Rising Star’s Free Agency Hopes Dashed?
- Kim’s anticipated market debut in free agency now hangs in the balance as teams and analysts grapple with his uncertain return timeline. Once valued at $15 million or more per year, Kim’s injury opens up questions about his potential suitors and whether he’ll consider a shorter-term “prove-it” deal. The Padres now face a strategic dilemma: risk extending a qualifying offer or let one of their most dependable infielders walk.
Joe Musgrove: Will Padres’ $100M Arm Ever Be the Same?
- The blow to Musgrove’s season, and possibly his career trajectory, leaves a dark shadow over the Padres’ rotation, with little guarantee he’ll pitch in 2025. Musgrove himself remains cautiously optimistic, refusing to close the book on a playoff return, yet the odds are slim. As the offseason looms, San Diego will have to hit the pitching market hard, especially with Yu Darvish and Dylan Cease now tasked with carrying the bulk of the load.
A Fractured Future?
The Padres’ precarious position has fueled offseason speculation about a total roster revamp. Will they make bold free-agent moves, or will this mark the beginning of a rebuilding era for San Diego? With the fates of Kim and Musgrove casting a long shadow, the front office is under pressure to prove that their recent playoff stint wasn’t just a flash in the pan.
