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The Los Angeles Dodgers strengthened their infield when they signed Korean free agent Hyeseong Kim to a three-year, $12.5 million contract. The deal also has an option for 2028-29 that could increase the value of the contract to $22 million.
The Dodgers are also counting on him to be a difference maker and sent Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds shortly after.
Kim mentioned in an interview with the Yonhap News Agency that the Dodgers were the first team to reach out and now, he has one goal in mind – to make the Opening Day roster.
“The Dodgers are a great team, and I grew up watching them play quite a bit because of Korean players there,” Kim told reporters at Incheon International Airport. “It will be an honor to make my major league debut with the club I watched on television. I want to make it happen as quickly as I can. My immediate goal is to make the Opening Day roster.”
More news: Dodgers Still Plan to Play Mookie Betts at Shortstop Following Latest Moves
With Lux now in Cincinnati, Kim’s competition for the starting second base job only includes Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas. Tommy Edman is expected to play more centerfield in 2025 than he did in 2024 and Mookie Betts is returning to shortstop.
The infield depth doesn’t scare Kim.
“It’s not as though I won’t have competition on a different team. Since this is my first year, I thought I would have to battle for my playing time no matter where I ended up,” he said. “Ultimately, I decided I’d try to do that on the Dodgers.”
Kim is a four-time recipient of the KBO Golden Glove Award, which recognizes the top player at each position in the league. He earned the award at second base in the past three seasons after securing it at shortstop in 2021.
Kim posted a .304 batting average and a .364 on-base percentage over his eight seasons with the Heroes. He also stole 20 or more bases in each of the past seven years, peaking at 46 steals in 2021. A left-handed hitter, Kim finished the 2024 season with a .326/.383/.458 slash line, 11 home runs, and 30 steals for Kiwoom.
More news: Dodgers Still Plan to Play Mookie Betts at Shortstop Following Latest Moves
Photo Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports
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