Korean outfielder Hyun Soo Kim is heading home, according to Jeeho Yoo of Yonhap News, who tweets that Kim has struck a four-year deal with the Korea Baseball Organization’s LG Twins. Kim will reportedly earn 11.5 billion won, which equates to about $10.6MM, in the contract.
Kim, who’ll turn thirty years of age in January, had a strong first MLB season after joining the Orioles on a two-year, $7MM pact. While he functioned mostly as a lefty platoon bat, Kim ran up a strong .302/.382/.420 slash with six home runs over 346 plate appearances. He drew 36 walks against just 51 strikeouts in that span.
Things turned south in 2017, however, as Kim stumbled out of the gates in Baltimore and did not pick up the pace after landing with the Phillies in the middle of the season. Over his 239 total trips to the plate, Kim managed only a .231/.307/.292 slash with a single home run.
While Kim no doubt could at least have landed a minors deal with a decent shot at cracking a MLB roster at some point in 2017, he’ll instead head back to his native Korea. Long a fixture with the Doosan Bears, Kim will look to pick up where he left off before crossing the Pacific. Kim owns a lifetime .318/.406/.488 batting line over ten KBO campaigns.
Wow he is an ok hitter
Not really. Once they exposed him his numbers reflected
What was that, playing once every three or four days, is that when he was “exposed”. The guy was never given every day playing time, and when he did get some playing time, which was spasmodic, he played quite satisfactorily.
The Asian leagues are stealing the hot stove headlines.
I was thinking the same thing. Multiple transactions late today.
These kbo hitters can’t hit in the majors , it’s said to say it but they be better in their league. Because only way these guys do good is in triple A.
Jung Ho Kang says hello.
Jung Ho Kang also says cheers!
More likely saying geonbae, since he isnt gonna get a visa and is drinking in Korea.
Smart move financially. Doubt he’ll get another crack at a MLB job after leaving for North Korea though.
Yeah, aside from nuclear proliferation, North Korea’s baseball scene is all the rage ’round them parts nowadays.
North koreas had the same MVP and Batting title winner since 2011
The Glorious leader hit 1.000 with 250 home runs and 1200 rbi for the 6th year in a row. No steroids.
Not enough. Prison camp for you ellisburks
Let’s hope he chooses South Korea instead. Lol
Surprising amount of cash lol
Trump will tweet about this one
I love exchange rates! 11.5 billion. That’s amazing
It’s just they’re economy.
Four years 11.5 billion won, which equivates to 4 years $10.6M after exchange rates. Nice!
I wish he stayed in the US though, too bad there was no guaranteed MLB job available.
He was never really given much of a chance. His defense was not good and Buck likes defense.