The Los Angeles Dodgers and Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim have reached agreement on a three-year deal, per multiple reports. Naver Sports was first to report the two sides were in agreement on a $22 million deal for “3+2 years.” Shortly thereafter, MLB insider Francys Romero reported the two sides were in agreement on a three-year deal.
Read more: Who is Hyeseong Kim? Full Breakdown of Dodgers Free Agent Target Set to Join MLB
Kim, 25, is a versatile utility man who has won three Gold Glove awards at second base and shortstop in the Korean Baseball Organization. He’s an above-average defender and a plus-bat, as he hit .326 with 41 extra-base hits in 127 games with the Kiwoom Heroes last season.
In addition to his contact skills — Kim struck out just 62 times in 567 plate appearances — he also has plus-speed.
In 2024, Kim stole 30 bases while scoring 90 runs. He had 25 stolen bases in 2023, 34 stolen bases in 2022, and a career-high 46 stolen bases in 2021. He’s had at least 20 stolen bases in every full season of his career.
Kim will now join a Dodgers team that is coming off a 2024 World Series win, and has already reloaded by signing Blake Snell and Michael Conforto, in addition to bringing back Teoscar Hernández and Blake Treinen.
Kim will add another layer to the L.A. lineup, and will shore up the team’s middle infield defense.
The Kim signing makes Gavin Lux’s future in Los Angeles a little more cloudy. If Kim were to play second base — his primary position — Lux would not have a spot in the lineup unless he moved back to the outfield. Moreover, if Kim played shortstop, Mookie Betts would likely move to second base, still kicking Lux out of the infield.
Lux has been in trade rumors all offseason, and Dodgers Nation even proposed L.A. trade Lux in a package for former Milwaukee Brewers closer Devin Williams. However, Williams is now in New York (even though he thought he was coming to L.A.), and the Dodgers may have to look elsewhere if they’re planning on moving Lux.
Kim does have experience playing in either of the corner outfield spots, but he’s much more suited to play Gold Glove caliber defense in the middle infield.