The 2024 World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement with Korean second baseman Hye-Seong Kim on a 3-year contract for $12.5MM, with a chance for the deal to go up to 5 years, $22MM, according to reports.
The 25-year-old has spent his first eight seasons playing with the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization, debuting at 18 in 2017. Playing in 953 games, Kim tallied 1,043 hits, 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, and 211 stolen bases while hitting for a .304 average. He had one of his best seasons in 2024, hitting a career-high 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, hitting .326, and stealing 30 bases.
Several other MLB teams were in the running for Kim, including the Angels, Mariners, Cubs, and Padres, who all made offers. Kim
is also known for his strong defense at second base, winning the KBO Golden Glove Award three straight years from 2021-23. He is also the only KBO player to receive a Golden Glove Award at shortstop and second base.
Kim was posted on December 4 for MLB Free Agency, as his deadline was rapidly approaching. If he had not signed with an MLB team before 5 PM on January 3, he would have to play in Korea for another season.
Now, he joins a crowded Dodgers infield, where he will join Gavin Lux at second. It will be intriguing to see if the Dodgers will be making a trade anytime soon with the addition of Hye-Seong Kim.
