Hyeseong Kim Took Less Money to Sign With Dodgers: Report
As the reigning World Series champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a huge advantage over other clubs in free agency this offseason. Although the Dodgers offered less money and less years to international free agent Hyeseong Kim, the Korean second baseman ultimately chose to sign with Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Angels reportedly offered the soon to be 26-year-old a five-year, $28 million offer, but he declined. Instead, Kim chose to sign a three-year contract for $12.5 million with the Dodgers, which also incudes a two-year club option for 2028 and 2029. For what it’s worth, the Orange County Register’s Jeff Fletcher said the Angels’ offer was not higher than the Dodgers.
For the Dodgers, the Kim signing wasn’t without the help of Shohei Ohtani, who met with the Korean infielder in L.A. during his free agent process. Is there any reality where a player would turn down a championship team with some of the greatest international players in MLB?
More news: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers Signing Hyeseong Kim With 3-Word Message
Kim’s arrival to Los Angeles means the Dodgers have a versatile infielder who can play all over the diamond. In 2024, Kim recorded a .326/.383/.458 slash line with 11 home runs, 75 runs batted in, and an OPS of .841. It was the best year of his eight-year career in the KBO. With the Kiwoom Heroes, Kim earned three Gold Gloves at second base and shortstop.
Kim adds another dimension to the Dodgers and the signing highlights the organization’s desire to return to the Fall Classic next season.
“We’re really excited to add him into the mix. We’re talking about a double-plus runner, a really good defender in multiple spots, and some real upside with the bat,” general manager Brandon Gomes said Friday to SNLA’s Kirsten Watson.
The Dodgers faced Kim last year in Korea before the Seoul Series against the San Diego Padres. After the game, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the team’s scouts were impressed with Kim. Nine months later, the Dodgers signed him.
“Our scouts had flagged that he was potentially going to be posted this year. I think there was that dynamic athlete and explosiveness that he showed in that game against us that really stood out,” Gomes said. “When you’re able to add somebody with that type of athleticism and that tool package its something that we’re really excited about.”
Gomes didn’t reveal how the Dodgers planned to use Kim next season, avoiding the obvious question of whether he would replace Gavin Lux at second base. However, since Kim is a utility player, the Dodgers can get creative in engineering a role for him.
“I think we’ll see how things play out and progress and continue to have those conversations,” Gomes said.
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
Have you subscribed to our YouTube Channel yet? Subscribe and hit that notification bell to stay up to date on all the latest Dodgers news, rumors, interviews, live streams, and more!
Interesting. So who’s the odd man out? Lux would appear to be the obvious, but Muncie is no longer a kid and might have some trade value. The unsigned Kike? He can do everything but catch, but in baseball it would seem anyone can play the outfield in a pinch.
Yes, who indeed?
I would say Taylor is the 27th man on the 26 man roster. I hope they keep Kike, but Chris has aged out and is just a hole in the lineup. He was a great team member for many years, but baseball is a business, and CT is no longer profitable.