Dec. 7: Kim has now been formally posted and can begin negotiating with MLB teams, tweets Jon Morosi of MLB.com.
Dec. 1: Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim has yet to be officially made available to Major League teams due to a minor delay in medical paperwork, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency writes. According to Kiwoom Heroes general manager Chi-Hyun Kim, Major League Baseball requested more medical documentation “that we didn’t think would be necessary. Kim Ha-seong went for tests at three different hospitals on Monday and we sent those results to the KBO today.”
It’s been clear that Kim will be posted for months now. The issue isn’t expected to keep the star shortstop off the market for much longer, and he could be officially posted as early as Wednesday or Thursday. Once Kim is posted, MLB clubs will have a 30-day window for contract negotiations.
Given how many other notable shortstops are available either in free agency (i.e. Marcus Semien, Didi Gregorius, Andrelton Simmons) or trades (Francisco Lindor, and potentially Javier Baez or Trevor Story) this offseason, it’s possible this delay in Kim’s availability could somewhat hold up the rest of the shortstop market. Kim is the more intriguing members of the 2020-21 free agent class, as he is just 25 years old but already has six seasons of excellent numbers under his belt in the KBO League.
Though some Major League teams may view Kim as a second or third baseman (or as a super-utility type who can play all over the infield), Kim’s potential as an everyday shortstop makes him particularly valuable. The Blue Jays and Rangers are two of the teams reported to have interest in Kim thus far, which is indicative of how both contenders and non-contenders can view Kim as a long-term answer.
In addition to the contract itself, the team that signs Kim will also have to pay a transfer fee to the Kiwoom Heroes. The Heroes’ transfer fee will be 20 percent of the contract’s first $25MM in value, 17.5 percent of the next $25MM, and 15 percent of anything beyond the $50MM threshold.
does he prefer a contending team or a team that pays him the most? we will see soon enough.
Follow the money…. in 99% of cases like this.
Except for that SHO guy. That was not the biggest offer on the table
Actually all of Shohei’s offers were identical as he came over under a different set of rules. Shohei picked the place he thought best suited him.
The DL?
Well played
It’s no secret that Cashman wanted Ohtani badly. You can’t get them all!
Actually, the Mariners had more money to give him and he choose to play with trout and pujols
I think a rebuilding club is going to be a better fit, he’s young enough that when their theoretical window on contention opens he’ll still be in his prime.
Seems risky to just plug someone from the KBO right in at SS on a contending team. On a team like the Rangers he’d have way more flexibility and time to adjust.
As a Rangers guy I hope you are right. Seems silly to take a flier on a KBO guy if you are trying to win a division, when you could go get Semien or Segura, neither are stars but both are known quantities.
He should be the Rangers’ number 1 target. Rangers put him at 2b and IF gets extremely better defensively very quickly.
luckily I think he is our number one target. I think this will be the only thing we really do this offseason.
Kim to the Rangers on Friday lol. I seriously hope JD has as much of a want for Kim as do the fans. He’s such a good talent that definitely looks like it can translate to the MLB.
Should JD screw this up, which is entirely probable, what would your plan B be for strengthening the MIF as we both agree Tejeda is not ready Acosta, Seise, Foscue are all at earliest 22/23 additions. Huff and Jung next July. White, Heiinman, Garcia no better than bench pieces, and Walker/Thompson at earliest 22/,23. Do you take a stab at one of this year’s SS or trade for Story? We don’t have prospect capital for Lindor/Seager, No financial or longevity capital for DJL. I
Story is going to cost about the same as Lindor or Seager from a prospect perspective. Maybe a little less but not much unless Colorado is in dire financial straits. All 3 teams will request sky high returns when first approached. It will be interesting to see if any of them actually pull the trigger. Out of all the teams, I’d guess Cleveland is the most motivated to get a deal done.
The plan B has to be turn SS over to IKF. Move Solak full time to 2B sign a 1 year 3B and wait on Jung. If you get Kim then he probably plays 3B in 2020 and figure out what to do with Jung later.
2021 haha! Time does fly.
If there is an issue with medical, every other team can stop bidding, he’s an Angel.
If there is one thing the Angels love to do is ignore medical issues. They think they can make a short trip to Disneyland and have Tinkerbell waive her magic wand and cure anything.
What they don’t realize is Tinkerbell’s fairy dust isn’t very effective.
I wouldn’t mind seeing this infield for the next few years…
McCann C
Walsh 1B
Fletcher 2B
Kim SS
Rendon 3B
5Tool, neither would I.
I predicted Kim as an Angel in the contest. I would love to add him. And adding a catcher is something that would be nice.
That would be nice.
Tinker bell got laid off because of COVID and it doesn’t look like she’ll be working anytime soon.
Tinker Bell has been working at Disney World for months now. She just can’t work in CA.
I think her and Jiminy Cricket had a love child….
I did my stand up routine at his bachelor party.
You are sooooo funny
Do you do stand up?
“Go get him, Detroit Tigers. Go get him, Tigers! Roar!”
Just a riff on the Tigers’ old theme song from when I was a kid. I told you it was OLD!
Does this count as the daily Jays rumor?
It counts.
Sounds like Kim might be the first shortstop signed in free agency this year. That is unheard of for a former KBO player. He must be a special talent if so many teams are in on him. I did see him play once or twice on EPSN2 at 4:30AM but didn’t pay much attention as I had no idea he wanted to make the jump to MLB. Hopefully his KBO success follows him to MLB, but this is still a risky signing for teams. MLB pitching is much better than KBO pitching (as a whole) and the MLB ballparks are bigger too. If he can bat .280ish with 30+ doubles, 15-20 HRs and carry an OBP of .360+, he’d be well worth the investment. It will be very interesting to see where he ends up. Don’t count out the Dodgers. They could sign him to play 2B and have him as an insurance policy for SS if Seager leaves next year. They could then use Lux in a big trade for another starter or maybe even Lindor. An infield of Seager (3B) Lindor (SS) and Kim (2B) would be terrifying
Not out of the realm of possibilities. I’d probably come down on the numbers a little bit at least from the estimated conversions I’ve seen.
.260-280 avg, .340+ obp, 10-15 HRs, 20+ 2B
That’s a solid major league SS or 2B if defense is plus rated
TIGERS baseball restore the roar. Kim would be the perfect fit no expectations tge first year he could grow into mlb and grow with a young and soon to bee consistant playoff team. Great for for both sides
TIGERS baseball restore the roar. Kim would be the perfect fit no expectations tge first year he could grow into mlb and grow with a young and soon to bee consistant playoff team. Great for for both sides
Come on Detroit Tigers don’t screw this up man Go get your shortstop For Christ sake
What kind of contract are we expecting here? I think most, if not all teams, would love to have his talent and versatility for the right price. I follow the Twins, and he could certainly be used in Minnesota as a super utility/regular at 2B, SS and 3B. They need a strong backup/regular to fill that roster out with but a path to everyday playing time might be tricky, thus the contract issue comes into play. I’m sure most teams could make a case for him, wonder what he will be looking for? Probably wishful thinking for MN, as he has the talent and age on his side to find a starting job somewhere, and doesn’t probably want to go to the Midwest when he’ll have his choice of California teams or the Mariners.
5/50 is a decent benchmark. It could be over/under depending on how his market develops.
A lot of things to consider:
1) He is coming from a KBO team that has been in the playoffs almost every year, meaning he would most likely prefer to be on a contending team.
2) Money IS a self evaluation tool for athletes and also not to set the bar too low for the future KBO players, he will most likely seek the biggest contract possible.
3) Korean population: he will most likely prefer areas where he has cultural ties to, like West Coast teams or NY.
All in all, he will be a very interesting FA to watch.
Looking at factor 3, I believe it’ll be a team from California or Toronto.
Ryu is the #2 ‘Forbes Korea Power Celebrity’ from 2020 and likely has some pull is my feeling.
Korean population factor, would be LA, Toronto, Anaheim, San Fran, Seattle as most appealing (just my hunch- pick apart all you like!)
Should be a high priority for Dodgers; Kiké Hernandez is a free agent, Corey Seager and Chris Taylor are free agents after 2021; and Gavin Lux is defensive liability at SS. Seager re-sign and Kim is the second baseman.
JD and Chris Young get on the phone or on a plane like yesterday and get this done today.
Oakland has to be a dark-horse here as long as he doesn’t command a ridiculous contract.
The Tigers seem to be perfect here. They have a LOT of money, and likely should sign any Asian player (the SS, the pitchers) they deem worth it. And it seems a couple of those players get good scouting grades
Rangers also, as well just about any team that’s well-healed and needs some help on the developmental curve (SF, etc.).Red Sox certainly aren’t SS needy, but could move Devers to 1B (a necessity) and plug Kim in at 3B. And any pitcher that breathes.
As a Cub fan I think they should be in on Kim and transition him to third for 2021 and have him in their back pocket in the event they cannot bring Baez back. I personally would swap KB to LF for 2021 and then target Wong in free agency.
DET needs this one. But, honestly there is still so much more they need. Whatever trade opportunities they have on nearly any arb. player, cannot go unturned. It’s hard to get too vested on this one… I mean if I’m a Korean born player, why would I prefer to choose DET over any other club? $ & starting role would literally be the only reason. As a fan, if there is one thing I don’t want to have to go through again it’s another high dollar-low value ball club; that can’t even sniff a playoff. Spread the wealth throughout the diamond; don’t go big on the one guy! Because, DET is not outspending the top tiers.
Detroit has a great fan base, currently a pretty low payroll, and loads of talent just making it to MLB. It makes tons of sense to pursue Kim as a way of telling the fans that the club is on its way back to winning again. (By the way, I scooped my own story by picking up one-third season tickets for the first time in four seasons.)
I mean he would make a great addition to the middle infield for the tigers Willi Castro and Kim up the middle
I agree, absolutely go after him. But, the 5+ year contracts have really hurt this ball club. I just don’t want them to repeat the same “W.S or rebuild” polar mentality. Shoot for long term division contention, and organizational depth. If we can get a spark in late October, great! If not, let’s pick up where we left off (so to speak). There’s no need selling the farm during trade deadline or sign the one big FA (Harper, Lindor, Bauer); when there’s other holes to fill at the same cost throughout the rest of the diamond. I loved it when they traded for Miggy, that might be the most lopsided trade ever! But IMO, his extension (starting in 16) was not in the best interest of the team.
I would like to see the tigers go after him
Let’s go Rangers! We got one month! Make it happen Young – JD!