Hyeseong Kim contract with Dodgers: 3 years, $12.5 million

The Dodgers have agreed to a deal with Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, the team announced Friday. The deal is for three years and has $12.5 million guaranteed with a 2028-29 option that could increase the value of the deal to $22 million.

Kim, one of the top hitters in the KBO, was signed by his team, the Kiwoom Heroes, in early December. This marked the start of a 30-day window for the 25-year-old second baseman to sign with an MLB team, with a deadline of 5 p.m. ET on Friday to reach an agreement. Any team willing to pay the Heroes the appropriate release fee and any additional fees could negotiate with Kim.

Kim batted .304 and posted a .364 on-base percentage in eight seasons with the Heroes. Kim also stole at least 20 bases in each of the last seven seasons, reaching 46 in 2021. As a left-handed hitter, Kim hit .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 steals for Kiwoom. 24.

The Dodgers got to see Kim up close last March when they played Team Korea in an exhibition game in Seoul, South Korea, before opening the season against the Padres. Kim scored a brace that day against LA right-back Bobby Miller.

Kim, who turns 26 later this month, is a four-time winner of a KBO Golden Glove Award, which recognizes the best overall player at each position in the KBO. He won the award at second base each of the last three seasons after winning it at shortstop in 2021.

Adding Kim gives the Dodgers another center fielder, a position group where the team has a surplus of options on the 40-man roster. The plan for 2025 is for Mookie Betts to play shortstop and Gavin Lux to man second base, but Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman could also play those positions.

Of these, Kim appears to have the most role overlap with Taylor and Rojas, especially since Edman is expected to see a lot of playing time in midfield. General manager Brandon Gomes reiterated at Friday’s press conference to re-introduce Hernández that the Dodgers’ “mentality” is to have Betts at shortstop and Lux ​​at second base, leaving Kim in more of a utility role and his strong track record uses both midfield positions.

The Dodgers love having versatile defenders and decided not to give up their depth in that area to clear a spot for Kim, but instead part ways with Cartaya.

A former top-100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Cartaya had no clear path forward with the Dodgers with Will Smith under contract through 2033 and current top prospect Dalton Rushing knocking on the major leagues’ door. Austin Barnes and Hunter Feduccia are also in the picture as catchers.

After being named the Dodgers’ 2022 Minor League Player of the Year, Cartaya took a step back offensively. He reached Triple-A Oklahoma City last season and hit .208 with a .643 OPS and six home runs in 49 games. Entering his 23-year-old season, Cartaya has yet to appear in the majors.