The Dodgers have agreed to a cope with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, the crew introduced on Friday. The deal is for 3 years and a assured $12.5 million with an choice for 2028-29 that might improve the worth of the deal to $22 million.
Kim, one of many prime hitters within the KBO, was posted by his crew, the Kiwoom Heroes, in early December. That marked the start of a 30-day window for the 25-year-old second baseman to signal with an MLB crew, with a deadline of 5 p.m. ET Friday to achieve an settlement. Any crew prepared to pay the Heroes the corresponding launch payment and any relevant supplemental charges was capable of negotiate with Kim.
Kim batted .304 and logged a .364 on-base proportion over eight seasons with the Heroes. Kim additionally stole at the least 20 bases in every of the previous seven seasons, reaching as excessive as 46 in 2021. A left-handed hitter, Kim slashed .326/.383/.458 with 11 residence runs and 30 steals for Kiwoom in ’24.
The Dodgers obtained an up-close have a look at Kim final March, after they performed the Heroes in an exhibition sport in Seoul, South Korea, earlier than opening the season towards the Padres. Kim scorched a double off the wall towards L.A. righty Bobby Miller that day.
Kim, who turns 26 years previous later this month, is a four-time winner of a KBO Golden Glove Award, which honors the very best general participant at every place within the KBO. He gained the award in every of the previous three seasons at second base after claiming it at shortstop in 2021.
The addition of Kim offers the Dodgers one other center infielder, a place group the place the crew has a surplus of choices on the 40-man roster. The plan heading into 2025 has been for Mookie Betts to play shortstop and Gavin Lux to man second base, however others who may make appearances at these positions embody Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman.
Of these, Kim would seem to have essentially the most overlap in function with Taylor and Rojas, particularly as a result of Edman ought to see loads of taking part in time in heart subject. Basic supervisor Brandon Gomes reiterated at Friday’s press convention to re-introduce Hernández that the Dodgers’ “mindset” is to have Betts at shortstop and Lux at second base, so Kim suits in additional of a utility function, making use of his robust monitor report with each middle-infield spots.
The Dodgers love having versatile defenders at their disposal, and selected to not do away with their depth in that space as a way to clear a spot for Kim, as a substitute parting methods with Cartaya.
A former High 100 prospect in accordance with MLB Pipeline, Cartaya didn’t have a transparent path ahead with the Dodgers, with Will Smith below contract by means of 2033 and present prime prospect Dalton Dashing knocking on the door of the large leagues. Austin Barnes and Hunter Feduccia are additionally within the image at catcher.
After being named the Dodgers’ Minor League Participant of the 12 months in 2022, Cartaya took a step again offensively. He reached Triple-A Oklahoma Metropolis final season and hit .208 with a .643 OPS and 6 homers throughout 49 video games. Heading into his age-23 season, Cartaya has but to look within the Majors.
