MLB Rumors: Hye-seong Kim 'Closely Evaluated' by Mariners, More Ahead of Posting
November 6, 2024
As Hye-seong Kim is getting closer to being posted by the Kiwoom Heroes, the 25-year-old is receiving interest from multiple MLB clubs.
Per MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Seattle Mariners are among the teams that have "closely evaluated" Kim before he becomes eligible to sign.
Kim just wrapped up his eighth season with the Heroes, having turned pro in 2017 at the age of 18. He hit .326/.383/.458 with 11 homers and 30 RBI in 127 games. His 30 stolen bases ranked 10th in KBO and he tied for 13th with a .326 batting average.
The KBO announced on Oct. 31 (h/t Anthony Franco of MLB Trade Rumors) that MLB tendered status checks on two players, with Kim being one of them.
According to Franco, MLB issues a status check when at least one team shows interest in a Korean player. The league doesn't announce the names of the teams or players.
A status check also doesn't signal a start of the posting process. The Heroes did announce in January they would be posting Kim to MLB clubs after the 2024 season.
The official window for KBO teams to post players hasn't been specified. It has opened in early November and extends through mid-December in past years. Once a player gets posted, all 30 MLB teams can negotiate with the player and his representatives for a specific period of time.
Since Kim is 25 and has more than six years of professional experience, he can sign a contract for any amount of money. An MLB club that signs him will also have to pay a release fee to the Heroes that is determined based on how much guaranteed money his deal is worth.
Kim's strengths as a player are speed and defense. He stole at least 20 bases in each of the past seven seasons, including four seasons with 30 or more. The South Korean star also won three straight KBO Gold Glove awards from 2021 to '23 playing second base and shortstop.
The Mariners have an opening at second base after declining Jorge Polanco's $12 million option for next season. They could also use an offensive upgrade at shortstop with J.P. Crawford hitting .202/.304/.321 last season, but his value on defense will likely allow him to keep the starting job going into 2025.
