NEW YORK — South Korean All-Star second baseman Hyeseong Kim agreed Friday to a three-year, $12.5 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the team announced. It's the latest addition by the World Series champions in their offseason spending spree.
Kim gets a $1 million signing bonus and salaries of $2.5 million this year and $3.75 million in each of the following two seasons. The Dodgers have $5 million options for 2028 and 2029 that could raise the value to $22 million over five seasons. The options must be exercised together and the team would pay a $1.5 million buyout if they are declined.
He also can earn a $500,000 performance bonus for 500 plate appearances in both 2028 and 2029.
Kim's 30-day posting window to reach an agreement extended to 5 p.m. EST.
Kim, who turns 26 on Jan. 27, has played eight seasons in South Korea, the last six with the Seoul-based Kiwoom Heroes. He set career highs with a .326 average, 11 homers and 75 RBIs while stealing 30 bases.
Kim has a .304 career average with 37 homers, 386 RBIs and 211 steals for the Nexen Heroes (2017-'18) and Kiwoom.
Los Angeles will pay his South Korean club a $2 million posting fee, calculated as 20 per cent of guaranteed money. A supplemental fee would equal 15 per cent of any earned bonuses, escalators and compensation from option years that are exercised or become guaranteed.
Coming off its second World Series title in five years, the Dodgers signed left-hander Blake Snell to a $182 million, five-year contract, kept infielder/outfielder Tommy Edman for $74 million over five seasons, reached a $17 million, one-year deal with outfielder Michael Conforto, retained right-hander Blake Treinen with a $22 million, two-year agreement and a $66 million, three-year contract with outfielder Teoscar Hernández.
Catcher Diego Cartaya was designated for assignment to open a roster spot.
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