New LA infielder gets $12.5 million guaranteed over three years, plus a two-year club option for 2028-29
The Dodgers signed infielder Hyeseong Kim on Friday to a three-year, $12.5 million contract through 2027, along with a two-year option for 2028 and 2029 that, along with bonuses, could bring the total value of the deal to $22 million over five years.
Kim, who turns 26 on January 27 hit .326/.383/.458 with 26 doubles and a career-best 11 home runs for the Kiwoom Heroes in the Korean Baseball Organization in 2024. He stole 30 bases, right at his average for his seven full seasons in the KBO.
He is a three-time Golden Glove Award winner in the KBO, taking the honor as a shortstop in 2021 and a second baseman in 2022 and 2023.
“We’re talking about a double-plus runner, a really good defender at multiple spots, and some real upside with the bat,” Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes told Kirsten Watson of SportsNet LA on Friday. “When you’re able to add somebody with that kind of athleticism and that tool package, it’s something that we’re really excited about.”
Kim was posted by the Kiwoom Heroes, which means they get a release fee from the equal to 20 percent of the total guarantee of Kim’s contract. That’s $2.5 million the Dodgers will pay Kiwoom. If the options are exercised or if Kim earns any contract bonuses, the Dodgers will owe 15 percent of that to Kiwoom.
Ronald Blum at Associated Press on Friday provided the contract details, including that if the options are exercised, Kim can earn an extra $500,000 if he reaches 500 plate appearances in each of 2028 and 2029.
More details, from Blum:
Kim gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $2.5 million this year and $3.75 million in each of the following two seasons. The Dodgers have $5 million options for 2028 and 2029 that could raise the value to $22 million over five seasons. The options must be exercised together and the team would pay a $1.5 million buyout if they are declined.
The $12.5 million guaranteed over three years means an average annual value of $4,166,667 for competitive balance tax purposes.