You’re not going to believe this, but the Los Angeles Dodgers appear to be dipping into the free agent market once again!
On Friday afternoon, LA came out of nowhere (but also, I mean, you have to expect it by now) to sign Korean infielder Hye-seong Kim.
Once thought of as a relative mid-tier option who could provide versatility to the downtrodden, like the Mariners, Angels, and Blue Jays, Kim will instead join the mega-Dodgers.
In the process, the three-year deal with Kim, paired with Mookie Betts’ apparent move back to the infield, will definitely lead to some valuable (and versatile) infield names exiting the Dodgers’ depth chart and hitting the open market.
Kim can play everywhere, much like longtime Yankees thorn Kiké Hernández. The Bombers had interest in him last year, but he preferred the familiarity of LA, which paid off in a major way. Would he be intrigued by switching sides after being semi-backstabbed, as he hits free agency once more? Does he have any more F-bombs locked and loaded?
And what about Gavin Lux, the Dodgers’ starting second baseman from their World Series run (and, arguably, the only piece in the lineup that didn’t work)? We know the Yankees intend to move Jazz Chisholm Jr. back to second base, but might they reconsider and pivot to Lux, formerly one of the game’s top prospects who’s now stuck in neutral? The infield probably can’t contain Betts, Kim, Lux, and Max Muncy … hey, wait. Would the Yankees strike on Muncy, another happy Dodger in the final year of an extremely cheap contract?
That’s the exact variety of power the Yankees are currently lacking, at a cost of just $12 million for 2025. Sure, he swings and misses, but 141 OPS+ marks don’t grow on trees. Would the Dodgers really surrender him? It’s worth a call. The Yankees helped LA out last winter by clearing roster space for Shohei Ohtani. They could help them do some yardwork once again.
Sources: Korean 2B Hyeseong Kim and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a 3-year deal.
In 9 seasons in the KBO, Kim has a .304 batting average with 37 HR. He can play across the entire infield. @DanielKimW and Korean media on it.
Could Yankees, Dodgers match up for infield trade after Hye-Seong Kim signing?
Of course, there’s also a ghastly version of this. Chris Taylor is entering the final year of his contract, making the same $15 million as DJ LeMahieu.
Sources: Korean 2B Hyeseong Kim and the Los Angeles Dodgers are in agreement on a 3-year deal.
In 9 seasons in the KBO, Kim has a .304 batting average with 37 HR. He can play across the entire infield. @DanielKimW and Korean media on it.
— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) January 3, 2025
Would the Yankees (gulp) absorb the versatile Taylor as he ages, saying, “LeMachine’s clubhouse presence be damned” in slicing one year off their financial commitment? Could he be anything close to an infield solution after posting a 73 OPS+ last season? Can this be expanded into some sort of Marcus Stroman deal?
We’d rather not think about it. After all, it’s the most frightening possibility out of the four the Dodgers just opened up.
