As the MLB free agency period crawls along at a glacial pace, the Athletics are reportedly being more active than many think behind the scenes.

While the A’s have already signed former New York Yankees relief pitcher Mark Leiter Jr. and traded for infielder Justin Reimer from the Boston Red Sox, they also made a push for one of the top infielders available on the market.

According to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal, the A’s made a four-year, $48 million offer to then-free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim before Kim re-upped with the Atlanta Braves on a one-year, $20 million deal.

The Athletics tried for free agent shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, offering him a four-year, $48 million contract with room to grow, according to a person briefed on the discussions. Kim, 30, instead opted for a one-year, $20 million deal with the Atlanta Braves, and the chance to return to the open market next season.

The A’s plan for Kim was to play him almost entirely at second base. He also could have filled in at shortstop if Jacob Wilson missed time with injuries. But now that Kim is off the board, the A’s likely will need to address their needs at second and third base through trade. The remaining free-agent infielders – from Bo Bichette to Munetaka Murakami and Kazuma Okamoto – are expected to be out of their price range.

The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal on the A’s offer to SS Ha-Seong Kim | December 17, 2025

It’s becoming somewhat less of a surprise to see the A’s active in MLB free agency.

Last offseason, the Athletics signed pitcher Luis Severino to the largest contract in franchise history at $67 million over three years. The A’s also inked players like slugger Brent Rookier and outfielder Lawrence Butler to lengthy extensions.

While the Athletics have an impressive crop of talent that includes Rookie of the Year winner Nick Kurtz, Rookie of the Year runner-up Jacob Wilson, OF/1B Tyler Soderstrom, and hard-hitting catcher Shea Langeliers, they still have holes to fill in their lineup and rotation.

Going after Kim in MLB free agency peeled back the curtain of the A’s plans as they clearly view second base as an area they can upgrade.

Rosenthal reports that the Athletics won’t be players for the remaining big-ticket free agent infield options, but keep an eye on the trade market. Options like Tampa Bay’s Brandon Lowe and the New York Mets’ Jeff McNeil are candidates to be moved before Spring Training.

Lower-priced options in MLB free agency also remain, such as former Giants infielder Thairo Estrada, veteran Adam Frazier, former Dodgers infielder Chris Taylor, and more.

More MLB free agency content from Sactown Sports

Arizona Diamondbacks star second baseman Ketel Marte’s name has been heavily mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, but the San Francisco Giants may have trouble throwing their hat into those discussions.

While the Giants have been reported to be in the mix for starting pitching options–both in MLB free agency and on the trade market– such as free-agent ace Framber Valdez and veteran free-agent Max Scherzer, they have also been linked to second base options as San Francisco evaluates upgrades across the board.

If the Giants are to attempt a trade for Marte, they will have to navigate the 32-year-old’s no-trade list that includes five teams, with San Francisco being one of the unpreferred destinations.

According to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal, the San Francisco Giants are among those teams listed on Marte’s no-trade list, joining the Athletics, New York Yankees, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals.

Report: Giants, A’s included on Ketel Marte’s no-trade list

Upcoming Athletics & MLB Offseason Schedule

MLB Free agency is underway as of the day after the World Series
Early-January – MLB Arbitration Negotiations
Mid-February – Pitchers & Catchers report for Spring Training
Saturday, February 21st – @ Chicago White Sox (Spring Training Opener)

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