What Does Dodgers’ Hyeseong Kim Signing Mean for Kiké Hernández, Chris Taylor, Gavin Lux?

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed free agent infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday, despite offering less money and contract years than other franchises.

The Dodgers signed Kim just hours before his posting period deadline on Friday.

What Does Dodgers' Hyeseong Kim Signing Mean for Kiké Hernández, Chris  Taylor, Gavin Lux?
Although the addition of Kim is good news for the Dodgers, it raises questions about the fate of Gavin Lux, Kiké Hernández, and Chris Taylor, among others. All three players were part of the Dodgers’ World Series run this season. But, it’s possible at least one of them isn’t back in 2025.

More Nnws: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Dodgers Signing Hyeseong Kim With 3-Word Message

Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes said at the Winter Meetings that eight-time All-Star Mookie Betts will return to shortstop for the 2025 season.

Betts would give them an everyday player at shortstop, which they didn’t have last year after Gavin Lux moved to second base.

However, Kim has played second base for the majority of his career. With Kim on the roster, the Dodgers may be more open to trading Lux, who has already been considered a potential trade piece this offseason.

In addition to second base, Kim has experience in left and right field. Moving Betts to shortstop opens up a spot in the outfield. Teoscar Hernández, Tommy Edman, and Michael Conforto will fill the three outfield positions, with Andy Pages likely taking the fourth spot.

That leaves no room for Taylor or Hernández.

Hernández is a versatile utility player who made appearances at every position except catcher and right field last season. But, Kim is also a utility player with a consistent bat and a knack for stealing bases.

The Dodgers reportedly plan to use Kim as a utility in 2025, which lowers Hernández’s chances of re-signing with Los Angeles. As for Taylor, it’s possible L.A. looks to move him entering the final year of his contract.

For what it’s worth, on Friday, Gomes said he didn’t feel the team needed to make any trades following the addition of Kim.

“I think it’s more that we’re adding a really talented player, and [then will] see where things play out,” Gomes said. “It’s helpful to have really strong pieces at a lot of different areas. So that’s how we’re viewing it right now.”

With Hernández being the only player of the three currently not on the roster, it seems unlikely he returns unless the Dodgers make a trade in the coming weeks.

Related Posts

BREAKING: 4 reasons why CC Sabathia should be a Hall of Famer

A pitcher hasn’t been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame from the Baseball Writers’ Association of America ballot since Mariano Rivera, Roy Halladay and Mike Mussina…

REPORT: MLB Insider Provides Disappointing Update in Dodgers’ Nolan Arenado Pursuit

The Los Angeles Dodgers have been linked to All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado since he posted a series of photos on his Instagram along with the song…

Dodgers Notes: Kiké Hernandez Update After Latest Signing, Tanner Scott to LA?

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Korean utility player Hyeseong Kim on Friday. Although Kim adds another dimension to the Dodgers’ roster, the signing could have negative implications…

UPDATE NEWS: Yankees could shift Jazz Chisholm to second base in bold roster overhaul

With spring training just over a month away, the New York Yankees face significant questions regarding their 2025 roster. Chief among them is the infield

BREAKING: Yankees Intrigued by Trade Pitch for $27.6 Million Gleyber Torres Replacement

Gleyber Torres manned the second base position for the New York Yankees from 2018 through 2024, helping to solidify the middle infield well enough to help the Bronx Bombers get to the postseason in six of his seven years there. At the plate, Torres put up a respectable .774 OPS and hit 138 home runs […]

Yankees Linked to Versatile 2-Time World Series Champion in Free Agency

The New York Yankees are linked to versatile player Kike Hernandez in free agency to fill a major hole for the team.