Opportunity opens up for new Dodger Kim Hye-seong following trade of incumbent infielder

Kim Hye-seong celebrates after hitting a walk-off house run at Gocheok Sky Dome in Guro District, Seoul, April 7, 2024. Yonhap

With an infield logjam addressed in a reported commerce, the Los Angeles Dodgers‘ new Korean participant Kim Hye-seong seems to have a clearer path to taking part in time than when he signed final week.

In response to a number of experiences popping out of the US on Monday (native time), the Dodgers have traded second baseman Gavin Lux to the Cincinnati Reds in change for a draft choose and an outfield prospect Mike Sirota.

Lux was the Dodgers‘ main second baseman in 2024, making 138 appearances there whereas taking part in one recreation at shortstop. He batted .251/.320/.383 with profession highs of 10 house runs, 50 RBIs and a 2.1 wins above substitute (WAR).

Kim, an All-Star second baseman for the Kiwoom Heroes within the Korea Baseball Group (KBO), signed a three-year, $12.5 million cope with the Dodgers on Friday, plus a membership possibility for 2 extra years. As Kim joined a crew with no scarcity of center infielders, the Dodgers brass indicated that Kim can be a utility man, with a „mindset“ of getting Lux at second base and Mookie Betts at shortstop to open the brand new season. Earlier in his KBO profession, Kim performed shortstop, third base and each nook outfield positions.

Former Gold Glove winner Tommy Edman may also deal with each infield positions for the Dodgers, although he’s anticipated to spend the majority of his time in middle discipline as he did final yr. Over-30 veterans Chris Taylor and Miguel Rojas have each logged time at second base and shortstop positions over their careers.

With Lux out of the combination and Taylor and Rojas coming off injury-plagued seasons and getting into the ultimate years of their contracts, Kim might be in line for extra common taking part in time than initially thought.

Kim, who turns 26 later this month, received the primary two editions of the KBO Fielding Award at second base in 2023 and 2024. A former nationwide highschool hitter of the yr, Kim has a profession batting line of .304/.364/.403 in 953 KBO video games.

In 2024, Kim batted .326 for his fourth consecutive .300 season, and set profession highs with 11 house runs and 75 RBIs. He additionally swiped 30 bases and had 211 steals from 2018 to 2024, greater than some other KBO participant in that span. (Yonhap)