Possible Seattle Mariners Free Agent Target Expected to be Made Available Wednesday

Korean Baseball Organization middle infielder and possible Seattle Mariners target Hye-Seong Kim is expected to be posted by the Kiwoom Heroes on Wednesday, per reports.

South Korea infielder Hye-Seong Kim hits a single during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics on Aug. 5, 2021, at Yokohama Baseball Stadium. / Yukihito Taguchi-Imagn Images

This upcoming week could prove to be the busiest of the offseason for the Seattle Mariners.

The MLB Winter Meetings take place from Dec. 9-12 in Dallas and the Mariners have a chance to be one of the more active teams at the negotiation table.

And on Wednesday (Dec. 4), a player Seattle has rumored interest will be made available.

The Korean Baseball Organization's (KBO) Kiwoom Heroes are expected to post middle infielder Hye-Seong Kim at 9:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday, per a report from MLB Network insider Jon Morosi.

NEWS: Infielder Hyeseong Kim is expected to be posted by the Kiwoom Heroes of KBO around noon ET Wednesday.

Thus begins a 30-day window for Kim to sign with an @MLB team this offseason.@MLBNetwork

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) December 3, 2024

Kim has played eight years in the KBO from 2017-2024 and has been one of the more consistent defenders, hitters and speedsters in the league during that span. He is a three-time Gold Glove winner and led the organization in stolen bases in 2021. He won the Gold Glove twice as a second baseman and once as a shortstop.

In 2024, Kim batted .326 and had an OPS of .841. He posted career-highs in home runs (11) and RBIs (75) and stole 30 bases. He's hit at an average of .300 in four consecutive seasons.

kim hyeseong, finally 🥺 pic.twitter.com/ht8fRFzllm

— dzah (@hesmyloverboi) March 18, 2024

Kim is estimated to earn a contract in the realm of three years and $24 million ($8 million AAV). That would put him right in the Mariners' price range and give the team coverage at second and third base for several seasons.

There's not any indication on how his bat will translate to the major leagues until he makes his first plate appearance, but recent examples of Korean players coming stateside are encouraging.

The San Francisco Giants signed Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million deal last offseason. He played just 37 games before dislocating his shoulder and missing the rest of the season. In his limited time healthy, he hit .262 with two home runs and eight RBIs.

Teams have 30 days after Kim's posting to come to terms on a deal with him.

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