"I didn't appear in the article," but it was almost a tough competition to become a main player…"Behind Story" in which Kim Hye-sung chose to join LAD
"I didn't appear in the article," but it was almost a tough competition to become a main player…"Behind Story" in which Kim Hye-sung chose to join LAD
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Los Angeles Dodgers' Kim Hye-sung left for the U.S. via Incheon International Airport on the 14th (Korea time). Kim Hye-sung will move to Phoenix, Arizona via Seattle and begin tempering for the full 2025 season.메이저놀이터
Kim Hye-sung, who was nominated by the Nexen (current Kiwoom) Heroes as the seventh overall pick in the second round of the 2017 Rookie Draft, delivered his intention to enter the Major League after the 2023 season. Kiwoom, which produced four big leaguers including Kang Jung-ho, Park Byung-ho (Samsung Lions), Kim Ha-sung (FA), and Lee Jung-hoo (San Francisco Giants), naturally expressed its willingness to fully support Kim Hye-sung's challenge to the Major League, and Kim Hye-sung prepared to enter the big league by signing a contract with "CA Sports," which includes Shohei Ohtani (LA Dodgers).
Kim also hit his first double-digit home run since his debut last year, posting a batting average of 0.326 OPS of 0.841 with 11 homers, 75 RBIs, 90 runs, and 30 steals. The team that made the most connection with Kim in the early days of the Stove League was the Seattle Mariners. After Robinson Cano left the team in 2018, he failed to find a second baseman. However, there was no news other than that he was interested in Kim.
In particular, Kim Hye-sung did not receive any information from the U.S. local media even a day before the posting deadline, but his destination was finally decided on the day the posting was closed. It was the LA Dodgers. The total contract is worth 22 million dollars for three plus two years. It is guaranteed 12.5 million dollars (about 18.3 billion won) for three years, and if the Dodgers execute the option in the hope of accompanying them, they will receive an additional 9.5 million dollars (about 13.9 billion won) for two years.
Kim's trip to the Dodgers was quite shocking. Nobody expected Kim to wear the Dodgers uniform. Notably, the Dodgers had key and backup resources including second baseman Mookie Betts and Korean-American Tommy Edman, as well as Gavin Lux, Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas. As Kim joined the Dodgers, which has a strong enough record to lift the trophy of the 2024 World Series, he is expected to face a challenging future.
However, there has been a major change in the three days since Kim Hye-sung was announced to go to the Dodgers. The Dodgers changed its stance, which it had not decided to trade despite the fact that it was saturated with infielders. The Dodgers decided to send Gavin Lux, who had been scheduled to take over the main second baseman role this year, to the Cincinnati Reds.
It must have been a pleasure for Kim to suddenly lose his starting second baseman's position. Still, no one can guarantee his starting position. Not only will he be able to give up his second baseman position to Miguel Rojas and Chris Taylor, but he could also bring back Tommy Edman, who is set to take over as center fielder, if outfield prospects Andy Farggs and James Outman make remarkable progress in the spring camp.
Then, why did Kim Hye-sung choose the Dodgers? Kim Hye-sung, who met with reporters ahead of her departure on the 14th, said, "It was so nice to receive the Dodgers' offer. In fact, it wasn't in the article, but the Dodgers contacted me first after it was posted. I'm grateful for that." In the end, the Los Angeles Angels offered a five-year, $28 million, but they chose the Dodgers that showed the most active movement.
In particular, the fact that competition is inevitable no matter which team she chooses had a significant impact on her decision. "Even if she goes to a team other than the Dodgers, it doesn't mean that she doesn't compete. No matter which team she chooses, she needs to compete in the first year. Still, I have no regrets because I made the decision that I want to establish myself in the Dodgers through good competition," he said.
What kind of team is the Dodgers to Kim? Kim said, "It's a prestigious club. I've seen it since I was young, because many Korean big leaguers have played. And I think it's the best team because we won last year. Since the Dodgers was a team I watched on TV when I was young, it is a great honor to debut in that team. My first goal is to make my debut in the opening game entry, and I can't wait to play."
Finally, Kim Hye-sung said of the posting on Thursday, "I don't want to go back. I couldn't sleep well. It wasn't easy. But looking back, I think it's a good memory," adding, "I still can't draw my thoughts on the Major League." "I don't know anything yet, so it's how I felt when I first joined the professional league. I'm going to do my best as hard as I can, and since it's a place where I challenge myself, I think I should appeal to all the strengths I can."