Betlux's backup infielder Kim Hye-sung welcomes LAD to a three-year, $12.5 million contract, friend wild welcome
Jan 04, 2025
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MLB.com reported on the morning of the 4th (Korea time) that the Dodgers and Korean infielder Kim Hye-sung agreed to a contract, saying, "'This contract is a three-year guarantee of $12.5 million (about 18.4 billion won), and it can increase to up to $22 million (about 32.4 billion won) with club options set from 2028 to 2029, respectively.'
The Orange County Register reported that `Korea's All-Star second baseman Kim Hye-sung and the Dodgers have agreed to a three-year contract' The Dodgers assigned prospect catcher Diego Cartaya to put Kim on the 40-man MLB roster.
Kim Hye-sung, who was posted on the Major League Baseball's pro baseball team on the 5th of last month and continued her agony by using the 30-day negotiation period until the last day, is now on the path to conquering the Major League in the Dodgers.
However, the size of the contract is far below the original expectations of local media. When the FA market opened in November last year, ESPN offered $16.5 million for three years and $24 million for MLBTR for three years. Although the option is set, the average annual salary based on the guarantee amount was $4.17 million, which did not meet expectations.
However, Kim Hye-sung is highly likely to play in the postseason from his first major league season. This year, the defending champion Dodgers will challenge the World Series for the second consecutive time by building the strongest power in the Major League this off-season, joining existing powers such as Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Freddie Freeman and Teoscar Hernandez.
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The transfer fees for players who moved to the U.S. after being approved by the Heroes club earlier were $5,015 for Kang Jung-ho, $12,85 million for Park Byung-ho, $5.525 million for Kim Ha-sung and $18,825 million for Lee Jung-hoo, respectively.
First baseman Freddie Freeman, second baseman Gavin Lux, third baseman Max Muncy and shortstop Mookie Betts are the best infield formation for the Dodgers. It is difficult for Kim Hye-sung to take the lead right away.
MLB.com said, "'With Kim Hye-sung's entry, the Dodgers have more reinforced the central infield team, making the 40-man roster rich in options. Betts will start as shortstop and Lux as second baseman, but Chris Taylor, Miguel Rojas and Tommy Edman can also see the position, analysts said. "'Kim Hye-sung overlaps a lot with Taylor and Rojas' roles, and if Betts and Lux are the main shortstop and second baseman, he suits the utility role.'"
Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes confirmed to the LA Times that `Kim Hye-sung's role is utility.' It means that he is a backup infielder.
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Kim Ha-sung's strength is that he can defend stably with shortstop and third baseman as well as the main position, second baseman, and active base learning using fast feet. Although the contact heating style gets a high score at bat, local experts are also concerned that they lack power and can overcome fastballs over 150km and various and fast breaking balls.
Kim Hye-sung joined the San Francisco Giants last year for six years and $113 million and could face many confrontations with Lee Jung-hoo, who will be in his second season this year. The Dodgers and San Francisco have 13 games.
On the same day, Ohtani reported the news of Kim Hye-sung joining the team on his Instagram and posted the phrase "Welcome, my friend" in Korean. According to local media, Ohtani reportedly met Kim Hye-sung in LA and persuaded him to join.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
