Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers Signing Hyeseong Kim With 3-Word Message
The Los Angeles Dodgers agreed to a three-year deal with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday, just hours before his posting deadline expired. The deal includes a two-year option that could take it up to $22 million in total value.
Read more: Dodgers Reportedly Sign Hyeseong Kim in $22 Million Move
Following reports of the deal, Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram to welcome his new teammate to Los Angeles.
Ohtani posted Kim’s signing on his Instagram story with a caption in Japanese that translates to “Welcome my friend.”
According to Korean media outlets, Ohtani met with Kim while he was in Los Angeles during his free agent process. Ohtani gave Kim “a lot of advice,” and now the two will be teammates in L.A for the next few seasons.
Kim reportedly left more money on the table from other teams to join the Dodgers.
More news: Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim Signing Could Spell Bad News for Kiké Hernández Reunion
Kim is expected to play a super utility role with the Dodgers next season. He’s coming off a 2024 season with the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization in which he hit .326 with 41 extra-base hits, 75 runs batted in, and 30 stolen bases.
Read more: Who is Hyeseong Kim? Full Breakdown of Dodgers Free Agent Target Set to Join MLB
Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Ohtani wrote the caption in Korean, not Japanese.
Sloppy journalism.
Now that Kim is a member of the Dodgers, you’d better learn the difference between Hangul and Hiragana.
True. With the influx of international signings, we all must learn the sensitivity of different cultures. We cannot group all Asians are the same as well as all Latin Americans are the same. As reporters they must be accurate in their information and not assume anything.
Dodgers are genius in acquiring extremely talented Asian baseball players. It is a policy that should lead to more winnings.