Dodgers to Sign Asian Star to 3-Year Contract: Reports

Hyeseong Kim isn’t the biggest free agent, or even the biggest Asian-born free agent, on the winter market. Nonetheless the Los Angeles Dodgers are willing to bet he’ll help them defend their World Series championship in 2025. According to multiple reports Friday, Kim and the Dodgers have reached agreement on a three-year contract. Several media outlets in Korea are now reporting that #Dodgers have agreed to a 3-yr deal w/ Hye-seong Kim w/ option for an additional 2 years. #MLB #KBO pic.twitter.com/SLPieGZKPM — Daniel Kim ??? ? (@DanielKimW) January 3, 2025 According to Daniel Kim (no relation), who cited reporting in Korea, Kim’s contract includes an option for an additional two years. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, it’s a $12.5 million guarantee with the potential to grow to $22 million. Hyeseong Kim has agreed with Dodgers. 3 years, $12.5M guaranteed, option for 2028-29 (picked up together), chance to make $22M — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 3, 2025 Kim was posted by his team in the Korea Baseball Organization, the Kiwoom Heroes, in December. His deadline to decide on signing with a Major League Baseball team or returning to the KBO was 5 p.m. ET Friday. SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 17: Kim Hye-seong #3 of Team Korea strikes out in the 1st inning during the exhibition game between Team Korea and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March… SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA – MARCH 17: Kim Hye-seong #3 of Team Korea strikes out in the 1st inning during the exhibition game between Team Korea and San Diego Padres at Gocheok Sky Dome on March 17, 2024 in Seoul, South Korea. Kim reportedly has a three-year deal with the Dodgers. Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images Kim, who turns 26 this month, is coming off a strong season in which he slashed .326/.383/.458 with career-best marks in home runs (11) and strikeout rate (10.9 percent). Primarily a second baseman in KBO, Kim has also played shortstop in his professional career. More news: Former Braves, Dodgers, Nationals Pitcher Dies at 37 Kim batted .304 in eight seasons in the KBO, with a .364 on-base percentage, .403 slugging percentage and 211 stolen bases. In 2021, Kim stole a career-high 46 bases in 50 attempts in 144 games. Dave Roberts on Hyeseong Kim in March ’24, after the #Dodgers played the Korean national team in Seoul:“Our scouts like the second baseman: just the way his body moves. There’s some life to the bat and defensively, he made a nice play out there,” — Jeeho Yoo (@Jeeho_1) January 3, 2025 More to come on this story from Newsweek Sports.