9:17pm: The KBO introduced that the Heroes have formally made Kim obtainable through the posting system. The posting went into impact at midday on Wednesday in South Korean time, not at 12:00 pm Jap as beforehand reported. In response to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap Information (X hyperlink), the 30-day signing interval will formally start at 8:00 a.m. Jap the morning after MLB informs groups of Kim’s posting. That’ll presumably occur tonight, so the posting window ought to start tomorrow regardless.
2:30pm: Infielder Hyeseong Kim is predicted to be formally posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Group on Wednesday at midday Jap/11am Central, per Jon Morosi of MLB Community (X hyperlink). As soon as it’s official, that can begin a 30-day window the place all MLB golf equipment can negotiate with Kim and his representatives. If no deal is signed in that point, he’ll return to the Heroes for the 2025 season. (The NPB posting window has been expanded from 30 days to 45 days however KBO gamers nonetheless have a 30-day timeframe.)
Kim, 26 in January, stated himself final week that he believed the formal posting course of was a couple of week away. It seems that timeline is holding, so Kim might be formally be obtainable to MLB golf equipment as of tomorrow. Kim might be thought of a “skilled” beneath MLB guidelines as a result of he’s no less than 25 years outdated and has no less than six years of expertise in a international league. As such, he can signal a deal of any size or greenback quantity, relying on what MLB golf equipment are prepared to supply. That’s in distinction to somebody like Roki Sasaki, who is just 23 years outdated and can subsequently be capped by the worldwide bonus system.
It isn’t seemingly that Kim will safe a large deal, however he might nonetheless have some curiosity. He’s anticipated to offer a considerably related skillset to his former double play accomplice Ha-Seong Kim, no relation, as each gamers are thought of sure-handed defenders at a number of spots on the diamond. Hyeseong has principally performed the 2 center infield spots, but in addition with transient stints at third base and within the outfield corners.
Offensively, Hyeseong is a tick beneath Ha-Seong, nevertheless. Hyeseong has slashed .304/.364/.403 in his eight KBO seasons whereas Ha-Seong hit .294/.373/.493 in his seven campaigns in Korea. The batting common and on-base numbers are pretty shut however Ha-Seong clearly has the sting by way of slugging. Hyeseong bought to 11 dwelling runs in 2024, a profession excessive for him, whereas Ha-Seong had 19 or extra homers in his remaining six KBO seasons, together with 30 within the remaining yr.
Nonetheless, even when Hyeseong is a tick beneath Ha-Seong within the energy division, his youth and athleticism ought to work in his favor. As talked about, he’s thought of a robust defender and might be positioned at a number of completely different positions. He has stolen between 20 and 46 bases in every of the previous six seasons.
MLBTR predicted he might safe a three-year take care of a $24MM assure as a part of the annual Prime 50 Free Brokers put up. Nevertheless, predicting the curiosity in a participant making the transfer from abroad could be tough, as gamers like Jung Hoo Lee and Masataka Yoshida each proved to have way more incomes energy than was assumed by forecasters.
The Mariners are reportedly focused on Kim but it surely stands to purpose that loads of others could be within the combine as nicely, given his versatility. Golf equipment just like the Giants, White Sox, Marlins, Brewers and others are speculative suits. Gamers like Willy Adames, Ha-Seong Kim, Gleyber Torres and others are additionally obtainable within the center infield free agent market. They are going to be joined by Hyeseong however the 30-day posting window means there might be readability on his standing by the primary few days of 2025, on the newest.
Along with the cash going to Kim, a signing membership can even must pay a posting charge to the Heroes, the worth of which is able to depend on the dimensions of the contract. The charge might be calculated as 20% of the contract’s first $25MM, plus 17.5% of the following $25MM and 15% of any {dollars} thereafter. Further earnings, comparable to efficiency bonuses/incentives or salaries on choice years fall beneath that purview as soon as they’re unlocked or exercised.
