Angels Offered Hyeseong Kim More Money Than Dodgers: Report

Sam Garcia | Jan 3, 2025

Aug 5, 2021; Yokohama, Japan; Team South Korea infielder Hyeseong Kim (3) hits a single in the third inning against USA in a baseball semifinal match during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images / Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

A potential deal between Korean free agent infielder Hyeseong Kim and the Los Angeles Angels was not meant to be. Instead, the Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly signed Kim to a three-year, $22 million contract.

Read more: Angels Lose Free Agent Target Hyeseong Kim to Dodgers in Surprising Turn of Events

Kim had garnered the attention of a handful of MLB teams, including the Angels, who reportedly offered the 25-year-old a five-year, $28 million contract, per Naver Sports.

This article claims that Hyeseong Kim is signing with the Dodgers for “about 22 million dollars in 3+2 years,” citing an official from CAA as the source.

Says the Angels offered 5/$28M. https://t.co/X2ioZh7Ccl

— BTH (@BeyondTheHalo) January 3, 2025

Despite the Angels offering more money, Kim ultimately decided to join the reigning World Series champions for his rookie MLB season. For what it's worth, the Orange County Register's Jeff Fletcher refuted the report that the Angels offered more.

The report that the Angels offered Hyesong Kim more than the Dodgers is not accurate, per source. Not sure what the offer was, but it was less than the Dodgers.

— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) January 3, 2025

In addition to the Angels and Dodgers, the San Diego Padres, Chicago Cubs, and Seattle Mariners were reportedly among the teams interested in signing the international free agent. Kim offers position versatility, speed around the bases, and a strong bat, which explains why many teams wanted to sign him.

Kim will likely serve as a utility player for the Dodgers and could replace two-time World Series champion Kiké Hernández. Kim is primarily a second baseman but has experience at shortstop, third base, left field, and right field. 

Kim also won three consecutive Gold Gloves in the KBO for different positions from 2021-23. In 2021, he won the award as a shortstop. He won the award as a second baseman for the following two seasons.

Kim has built a reputation for stealing bases. He has stolen at least 20 bases every season since 2018. The sole season Kim failed to reach the 20 stolen bases mark was his rookie season in 2017 when he only played in 16 games. Since then, Kim has stolen as many as 46 bases in a single season in 2021.

Throughout his eight-season career in the Korean Baseball Organization, Kim slashed .304/.364/.403 while recording 37 home runs, 386 RBIs, 150 doubles, and 39 triples.

Although the Angels’ lucrative offer was not enough to acquire Kim, Los Angeles has made some big moves this offseason. Most recently, the Angels added a couple starting pitchers in Kyle Hendricks and Yusei Kikuchi.

Five of the Angels’ nine starting pitchers are under the age of 25. Therefore, the addition of Kikuchi and Hendricks will not only bolster the rotation, but add veteran experience for the younger players.