After finishing 21st in runs scored and 29th in batting average in 2023, the Mariners are in clear need of some lineup upgrades this offseason. While they are expected to be involved in many of the MLB free agents, they reportedly also have their eye on Hye-seong Kim, one of the top players in the KBO.
The Mariners, known to be in the 2B market, are among the teams that have closely evaluated infielder Hye-seong Kim, whom the Kiwoom Heroes will post this offseason.
Kim, a left-handed batter, had an .841 OPS and 30 SB at age 25 in KBO this season.@MLBNetwork @SeattleSports
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 6, 2024
Since debuting with the Heroes in 2017 at age 19, Kim has steadily improved, becoming one of the best second basemen in the KB0. This past season, he posted career-bests in home runs (11), RBI (75), and slugging percentage (.458), along with a terrific .326 batting average.
The second base position has long been a weakness for the Mariners, though not for a lack of effort. They traded four players to acquire Twins All-Star Jorge Polanco last offseason only to see him bat a career-low .213 and strike out a career-high 137 times.
