South Korean All-Star infielder Kim Hye-seong has officially joined the Los Angeles Dodgers, signing a three-year contract worth $12.5 million, with options potentially raising his total earnings to $22 million. The announcement came on January 4, 2025, just hours before the deadline for Kim to finalize his Major League Baseball (MLB) agreement or return to South Korea's Korea Baseball Organization (KBO).
Kim decided on the Dodgers over offers from several teams, including the Los Angeles Angels, who had proposed a five-year deal worth $28 million. Other interested teams included the Seattle Mariners, the Chicago Cubs, and the San Diego Padres. Yet, the allure of playing for the defending 2024 World Series champions, alongside stars like Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw, proved irresistible.
The decision marks Kim as the ninth South Korean player to join the MLB through the posting system. His former team, the Kiwoom Heroes, will receive 20% of the guaranteed portion of his contract as part of the KBO-MLB agreement on posting fees, which amounts to $2.5 million.
Kim set impressive career highs last season, achieving 11 home runs, 75 RBIs, and maintaining a .458 slugging percentage. He also batted .326 during the season and displayed notable speed with 30 stolen bases, marking the seventh consecutive year he has stolen at least 20 bases. His KBO career batting line of .304/.364/.403 after eight years with the Heroes shows his consistency and skill.
Despite being drafted by the Heroes as the national high school hitter of the year in 2016, Kim’s rise to the major leagues was not without its challenges. He played shortstop and second base before transitioning to full-time second baseman starting from 2022. His defensive prowess earned him recognition, winning the Golden Glove award as well as the newly inaugurated Fielding Award for excellence at second base.
Kim's performance caught the eye of Dodgers management during their exhibition game against the South Korean national team last March. Manager Dave Roberts praised Kim's defensive capabilities and remarked, "Our scouts like the second baseman: just the way his body moves. There's some life to the bat and defensively, he made a nice play out there.” This positive feedback played a part in the Dodgers' decision to target him during the posting period.
Nevertheless, making the Dodgers' Opening Day roster won't be easy for Kim. The team already has significant depth at the middle-infield position with Gavin Lux, who served as the primary second baseman, and Mookie Betts expected to start at shortstop. Tommy Edman, acquired mid-season last year, can also play both positions. If he does make the team, Kim will likely fill the role of utility player, honing his skills wherever needed.
The Dodgers are focused on fortifying their roster after experiencing injury issues throughout the previous season. By signing Kim, they aim to deepen their bench and bolster their chances for another championship run. Analysts suggest the move reflects not only team strategy but also serves to hinder competitor teams from snatching him up after seeing the depth of the Dodgers’ roster.
Kim’s signing was met with warm welcome from teammates. Notably, Shohei Ohtani took to Instagram to express his support, posting the message, "Welcome, my friend," which emphasizes the comradery and high hopes within the organization as they prepare for the upcoming season.
While some skepticism remains about his power hitting capabilities—in light of concerns from local experts about the ability to tackle faster pitches—his record-setting improvements year over year give hope for growth. Having set career-high slugging percentages over the last three seasons, there is optimism as he steps onto the MLB stage.
Looking forward, Dodgers management has confirmed Kim's role as primarily utility, noting the organization’s intent of maximizing versatility throughout the season. With the depth of talent present and potential rotations developing, Kim Hye-seong is poised at the crossroads of opportunity, ready to flourish within the storied franchise.