What Does Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim Signing Mean for Kiké Hernández, Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux?
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday, despite offering less money and contract years than other franchises. The Dodgers signed Kim just hours before his posting period deadline on Friday.
Although the addition of Kim is good news for the Dodgers, it raises questions about the fate of Gavin Lux, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor, among others. All three players were part of the Dodgers’ World Series run this season. But, it’s possible at least one of them isn’t back in 2025.
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Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said at the Winter Meetings that eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts will return to shortstop for the 2025 season. Betts would give them an everyday player at shortstop, which they didn’t have last year after Gavin Lux moved to second base.
However, Kim has played second base for the majority of his career. With Kim on the roster, the Dodgers may be more open to trading Lux, who has already been considered a potential trade piece this offseason.
In addition to second base, Kim has experience in left and right field. Moving Betts to shortstop opens up a spot in the outfield. Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Michael Conforto will fill the three outfield positions, with Andy Pages likely taking the fourth spot. That leaves no room for Taylor or Hernández.
Hernández is a versatile utility player who made appearances at every position except catcher and right field last season. But, Kim is also a utility player with a consistent bat and a knack for stealing bases.
The Dodgers reportedly plan to use Kim as a utility in 2025, which lowers Hernández’s chances of re-signing with Los Angeles. As for Taylor, it’s possible L.A. looks to move him entering the final year of his contract.
For what it’s worth, on Friday, Gomes said he didn’t feel the team needed to make any trades following the addition of Kim.
“I think it’s more that we’re adding a really talented player, and [then will] see where things play out,” Gomes said. “It’s helpful to have really strong pieces at a lot of different areas. So that’s how we’re viewing it right now.”
With Hernández being the only player of the three currently not on the roster, it seems unlikely he returns unless the Dodgers make a trade in the coming weeks.
Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
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Sam Garcia:
You report Gomes does not see a need for a trade.
What about a trade for Luis Robert, Jr.
What about Dalton Rushing? Murakami at 3B next year?
The Dodges seem to have too many good players and too many utility players when they should go for elite players.
Trade a few 40-man players and prospects for Luis Robert, Jr.
Can Cartaya remain but not on the 40-man roster if no one claims him? Will Someone claim him? If he is claimed does that mean the team claiming him must put him on their 40-man roster? Will the Dodgers trade him to someone for a prospect?
Dodgers have seven days to trade Cartaya. If they can’t swing a trade they can offer him a minor league reassignment. If he declines the reassignment, which he almost certainly would do given the Dodgers catching depth, he would become an unrestricted free agent.
I would like to be a fly in the Dodgers front office and listen to some of the discussions going on.
Cartaya has no place to go with the Dodgers, especially with their interest and the play of Dalton Rushing. Letting him have a chance to prove his skill at the MKB level is the right thing to do for him. With All-Star Will Smith signed for 10 years, there is only room for a backup barring the unforeseen. Good luck to Diego Cartaya where ever he end up. And the answer to the rest of your questions is “Yes.”
As For Kike, his future is tied to what happens to Gavin Lux. and Chris Taylor. And no matter what Brandon Gomes says, he does not make the trades, now does he. That is up to how bad Dave Friedman wants Luis Robert Jr in Centerfield.
Sorry…brain fart. Andrew Friedman… Don’t know why I said “Dave”
The new signing from Korea is a much better fielder and a better hitter and base stealer than all three mentioned. Chris Taylor has under-performed with the bat for too long now, ditto with Kike. They have both gotta go. Lux has trade value and could be paired with a promising young pitcher like Landon Knack or Ben Casparious to land a good closer.
Taylor was a great help to the Dodgers, as was Kike, but like any other field of endeavor the need to move on from those who done what was hoped, expected, and loved doing. I’ll even toss Kershaw into this, because he simply cannot, and has not been able to give enough on the field to warrant keeping him solely for his reputation, contribution to the Dodger way and former ability. We’d be lucky to get 15 starts with most of them being at best 4 innings, and I doubt if he’ll accept a reliever role.
I love this team, the front office, what they’ve done in the past 5-7 years in the offseason, but how they’ve handled things with Kike upsets me every time. If any player has ever ‘earned’ another contract, he is it. He is a value to the team if he never swings a bat or fields a ball. He has more intangibles than any other player that’s existed, and a great post season track record. One of the best of all time.
Here is what needs to happen.. Trade Cartaya, Lux, Taylor, and a SP to St. Louis for Nolan Arrenado. St. Louis will pay (at least) 1/3 of his remaining contract to deal him. Resign Kike with a 3 year deal. Win another world series.
Email me my contract. I promise I can help with these decisions that non-baseball people have too much say in. I’ll save you so many headaches. Move my family and I to LA. I’ll start tomorrow, I’ll be cheap, and we’ll win tons of rings. I have zero doubt.
Of course, in the last 24 hours, everything has changed but I’d like to see your thoughts at this point!
You MDR the best proposition I have seen so far this off-season. The trade bait, Lux, CT3 and Cartaya is a good offer for Nolan— depending on which SP is included.
Lux had streaks of greatness this season, but his production fell off again. Chris Taylor is so wrapped up in his head that it’s painful to watch.
Cartaya was just DFA’d, and not without reason. He hit.190 or something so including him would’ve been a toss-in.
We’re back at square one and they still haven’t taken care of Kiké. I say you still have the core of what they need to do:
•Arendo for Taylor, Lux and maybe a mid-to-high level prospect. I am really wondering, though, if the Dodgers ever were ever really considering Arendo.
•Clear the roster space with Gavin and Chris…
Of course…. anything can happen, but I’m firm on an extension to the valuable Kiké.
I’m not sure any of the 3 of Taylor, Hernandez or Lux will be with the D’s this coming year. Rojas might be looking over his shoulder too. Kike would be my choice, he does have a history of clutch performances, but overall he didn’t have a good year nor is he exactly a gold glove fielder. Taylor had a terrible year, Rojas better by by the numbers than I remember, Lux had a good second half, but not that good and is weak with the glove.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see a lot of changes, if not by opening day at least by the all star break. I wouldn’t even bet on Muncie finishing the year with the club.
I am not sold on Snell he pitches at season injury free. Also, think signing Tanner Scott and pairing him with Michael Kopech as lefty righty tandem closing duo would be off the charts.
I totally agree with Muncy being shopped, but they love him. Maybe he’s a better clubhouse guy than we know? I’ve always loved his focus, and it is super valuable that he hits 30 dingers and can play 4/5 sdifferent positions, but he’s streaky and never hits for a great average.
I know Cartaya struggled last year, but he’s young, and was the top prospect in the organization a year ago. I’m sure that makes him an easier sell. CT3 desperately needs a change of scenery. I don’t think he handles the pressure of hitting in our star studded lineup. He’ll have pressure off him and more reps playing in St. Louis. It may revive his career. He’s struggled with us for two straight seasons. I don’t wanna say it’s the yips, but what else can it be? Lux is young, driven, versatile. He could be the starting SS in St. Louis. And what team wouldn’t want one of our 11 SPs? I’m thinking Gonsolin will be the one to go with it, if this trade ever becomes a reality. You give the Cards quantity for quality, but they’re not in the trade for quality, they’re in it to save $$$, so to me, it fits. I could see muncy being dealt. I can’t see Rojas. Major clubhouse presence for the team. I could see him retiring after this year and be an infield coach for them the following year. I think because of that, he’s here for the long haul. Plus he’s the best defensive SS on the team, bar none, and is cheap. Plus he had a really good offensive year last year, compared to previous seasons.
What we’d get back in Arrenado, Muncy would be an afterthought. Inevitably, there will be injuries, so I think they’ll keep him and he’ll get his reps. He’ll pay in 110-120 games and still hit 25 HR, .220-.230 avg. I’m 38, but I’m old school. .220-.230 avg isn’t a starter to write home about. Arrenado would be an upgrade in every way. Not to mention he’s maybe the best 3B of all time. Imagine you have Kike and Muncy to come off the bench at any time???Come on.
Can someone let the front office know I’m still waiting on my contract in my email. Thx!
I like Kike and hope he resigns with Dodgers. He has done a lot to help them in post season. Please reward him!