The same day the Dodgers were ready to officially welcome one of the key pieces of their 2024 World Series team, Teoscar HernandezThey also made an unexpected addition in free agency.
The team reached an agreement Friday to sign South Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation who were not authorized to speak publicly.
The deal, which will be for three years and $12.5 million with a two-year option in 2028 and 2029 that could raise his value to $22 million, will add another versatile player to the Dodgers fold, while also generating speculation about possible additional moves. making the team’s roster for 2025.
Over eight seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization, Kim, 25, hit .304 while playing second base, shortstop, third base and left field.
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After being sent down by his Korean club, the Kiwoom Heroes, earlier this offseason, Kim’s deadline to sign with an MLB team was Friday.
Coincidentally, the news came shortly before a previously scheduled press conference for Hernandez, who agreed to re-sign with the Dodgers last week on a three-year, $66 million contract.
That move was seen as a key step for the Dodgers to retain the core of their 2024 roster, ensuring that a major on-field contributor and clubhouse leader would remain in Los Angeles for next season’s title defense.
However, Kim’s arrival could indicate that other changes could be coming.
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With Kim, the team now has a stacked roster of middle infield options for 2025. Mookie Betting He is expected to return to shortstop. Gavin Lux has been designated as the second baseman, following his second-half resurgence last season upon returning from a torn ACL. Miguel Rojas He had exercised his club option earlier this offseason. And the team still has useful options in Chris Taylor (who is entering his contract year with $17 million still owed) and Tommy Edman (although he could primarily play center field after signing a five-year contract extension earlier this winter).
While it remains to be seen if the team will take advantage of that sudden abundance of depth, they will have to clear at least one spot on the 40-man roster in the short term in order to make the signings of Kim and Hernandez official.
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This story originally appeared on Los Angeles Times.