Because the reigning World Collection champions, the Los Angeles have an enormous benefit over different golf equipment in free company this offseason. Though the supplied much less cash and fewer years to worldwide free agent Hyeseong Kim, the Korean second baseman finally selected to signal with Los Angeles.
The Los Angeles Angels reportedly supplied the quickly to be 26-year-old a five-year, $28 million provide, however he declined. As a substitute, Kim selected to signal a three-year contract for $12.5 million with the , which additionally incudes a two-year membership possibility for 2028 and 2029.
Nevertheless, the signing wasn’t with out the assistance of Shohei Ohtani, who met with Kim in L.A. throughout his free agent course of. Is there any actuality the place a participant would flip down a championship staff with a few of the best worldwide gamers in MLB?
Extra information: Shohei Ohtani Reacts to Signing Hyeseong Kim With 3-Phrase Message
Kim’s arrival to Los Angeles means the have a flexible infielder who can play all around the diamond. In 2024, Kim recorded a .326/.383/.458 slash line with 11 dwelling runs, 75 runs batted in, and an OPS of .841. It was the very best yr of his eight-year profession within the KBO. With the Kiwoom Heroes, Kim earned three Gold Gloves at second base and shortstop.
Kim provides one other dimension to the and the signing highlights the group’s want to return to the Fall Traditional subsequent season.
“We’re actually excited so as to add him into the combination. We’re speaking a few double-plus runner, a very good defender in a number of spots, and a few actual upside with the bat,” basic supervisor Brandon Gomes mentioned Friday to SNLA’s Kirsten Watson.
The confronted Kim final yr in Korea earlier than the Seoul Collection towards the San Diego Padres. After the sport, supervisor Dave Roberts mentioned the staff’s scouts have been impressed with Kim. 9 months later, the signed him.
“Our scouts had flagged that he was probably going to be posted this yr. I believe there was that dynamic athlete and explosiveness that he confirmed in that recreation towards us that actually stood out,” Gomes mentioned. “Whenever you’re in a position so as to add anyone with that sort of athleticism and that device bundle its one thing that we’re actually enthusiastic about.”
Gomes didn’t reveal how the deliberate to make use of Kim subsequent season, avoiding the apparent query of whether or not he would change Gavin Lux at second base. Nevertheless, since Kim is a utility participant, the can get artistic in engineering a task for him.
“I believe we’ll see how issues play out and progress and proceed to have these conversations,” Gomes mentioned.
Picture Credit score: Yukihito Taguchi-USA TODAY Sports activities
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