As the MLB offseason continues, here are three things we’ll be keeping an eye on around the baseball world throughout the day today:
1. Kim’s posting window draws closed:
KBO infielder Hyeseong Kim has just under 32 hours remaining in his posting window, which is set to close at 4pm CT tomorrow. MLBTR ranked Kim as the #26 free agent available in our annual Top 50 MLB Free Agents list, where we predicted a three-year, $28MM deal for Kim at the outset of the offseason. With that being said, it’s worth noting that the earning power of international free agents can be difficult to predict as Kim’s fellow countryman Jung Hoo Lee demonstrated last winter when he signed a nine-figure deal with the Giants that blew past all expectations at the time of his posting.
There’s been few concrete rumors regarding Kim’s free agency to this point in the offseason, and with so little known about Kim’s free agency it’s difficult to predict which teams may be interested in the infielder or if he could consider returning to the Kiwoom Heroes in 2025 if he’s unable to find a contract to his liking. Kim is primarily a second baseman but has plenty of experience at shortstop as well and is generally regarded as a strong defender who should have little trouble handling third base if needed. The Mariners, Yankees, Angels, Cubs, Padres, and Brewers are among a number of teams who could make sense as potential suitors for a versatile infielder like Kim.
2. Arbitration filing deadline approaches:
Arbitration-eligible players around the league have to either reach an agreement with their club or face an arbitration hearing each winter, and decision day is rapidly approaching for those players this winter. The deadline to file for arbitration is one week from today on January 9. While teams and players are free to negotiate even after filing, clubs have increasingly used next week’s deadline as a cutoff for negotiations, taking what’s been termed a “file-and-trial” approach to arbitration. The majority of arb-level players typically sign before the deadline in order to avoid arbitration, as Royals right-hander Kyle Wright did last month. Many more players figure to follow in Wright’s footsteps over the next week, including what’s sure to be a rush of deals on the day of the deadline.
3. Scherzer’s market heating up?
Reporting yesterday indicated that four teams are involved in the market for future Hall of Famer Max Scherzer, though no specific clubs have been connected to the veteran hurler. At age 40, Scherzer is coming off an injury-marred season and is no longer the perennial contender for Cy Young awards that he was during his peak. Even so, the right-hander has remained valuable when healthy, with a 3.81 ERA (109 ERA+) and a 26.8% strikeout rate over the past two seasons. The eight-time All-Star is among the highest upside players still on the market and offers a relatively low-cost alternative to the top hurlers remaining on the market, Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivetta, while standing out in a crowd of veterans searching for one-year deals as the most impactful option at that level of the market now that Walker Buehler is off the board.
Scherzer could take a page out of the Rich Hill playbook and only play a half season. That way he isn’t taking up a roster spot at the start of the season and his body would probably respond better to a limited workload.
I predict the Angels…They will give him the biggest contract
Who? Kim? Scherzer? Scherzer likely wants to go where he can win, which is not the Angels.
You’re Trout of here.
Kim is the kind of gamble I hope the Yankees take. They can afford to hope on the bat while knowing he’ll play credible 2b.
At the predicted price a lot of teams should be in on him
@brian. I think Yankees will get ha-seong. He could probably play second with shoulder not being a problem. Angels or padres will get hye
I’d be good with that too.
Unlikely. He seems to be it if the Yankees price point at this relatively late stage in the offseason
My son is hearing Kim will sign with the Ms tomorrow. His bat would be good for the club. Get on and let someone advance him. We don’t need anymore HR hitters we need guys who can get on.
Even if his bat is just decent, Kim would give the Yankees much needed defense at 2B. The price and years, going by the predicted numbers, wouldn’t break the bank either.
@Acoss –
Ha-Seong Kim is going to be much more expensive to sign than Hyeseong Kim. Ha-Seong will probably cost $15M+ per season for 4-5 years. The only unknown is how his shoulder is recovering from off season surgery. He could be forced into a 1 year prove it contract if his shoulder remains a major concern, but I agree he will be valuable to which ever team he signs with.
I couldn’t tell from your statement if you were referring to Hyeseong or Ha-Seong. If it is the former Padre, then the Yankees will end up paying close to $30M per year for him due to his $15M salary and 90%+ tax rate they will be assessed in the 3rd tier of the CBT. I’m not sure if they’ll be willing to go that far for a player coming off a major shoulder surgery and one that only hits 10-15 HRs per season.
.
I have a feeling that the Yankees are waiting on the pitching market to fully settle in order to trade Stroman, which could allow the team to either trade or sign for a 3rd or 2nd base infielder. If so, the Yankees will have to determine free agent value existing in unsigned players versus having to make a trade. The later comes with a different type of cost beyond money in terms of prospect currency. I think trading prospects reduces team depth so I’m not big on that route for the Yankees when the team can just spend dollars. Then the Yankees can hold onto the prospects just in case the main roster has injuries during the season.
I think it is a 110% tax.
@Brian
You have to factor in, what’s the extra tax bill going to be considering we’re just under the 3rd and harshest tax threshold?
IMO all the more reason to sign either Kim. It doesn’t make sense to pay Bregman (or, heaven forbid, Arenado) $30-50mm/year (when factoring in the LT) if you can pay less than half of that for a p[layer with a pretty decent floor.
Arenado could cost much less if St. Louis agreed to pay down their share of what is presently owed in exchange for a top prospect. The Yankees may not want to do that but it is an option.
The Yankees only have one top prospect, Dominguez. All the rest are outside the Top 100.
@Baseball
Get past a “list.” I guarantee you that GMs don’t ever reference them when they make their trade demands. They employ teams of scouts they employ just to evaluate other teams’ minor league system. Teams have been rumored to have demanded Caleb Durbin, George Lombard Jr., Roderick Arias, Spencer Jones, etc, in trade scenarios. Published prospect lists are for fans. Something for them to use as a reference regarding upcoming talent. Ben Rice was never on a top 100 list, but he’s had a fantastic minor league career. Drafted out of college in 2022. A minor league career OPS of .925 with 56 hrs, an 11% walk rate, and slash of .288/.399/.536. . Do you mean a team wouldn’t want him in a trade scenario? But that being said, the Yanks should be the lady team to use a good prospect just to save money, which is the one thing they ĥave an advantage of over most other teams. poorer teams may have to use real prospects to get rid of bad contracts, but the Yanks, Mets, and Dodgers have the flex to eat those contracts and move on.
@Dewey
It doesn’t feel right the idea that a receiving team would have to send a top prospect to get the original team to eat a larger amount of the contract. Would any team have to trade a top prospect to get Max Muncy, who’s a very good comp to Arenando, but owed less money.
But it’s never a “gamble” when the Yankees buy another free agent. Whether it’s Igawa, Damon, Ellsbury, Irabu…they just print more money and absorb the contract. If there was a salary cap, Cashman would be forced to be more resourceful, instead of throwing cash at players who win them the press conferences.
I heard the Bluejays made an offer. But do not fear – they will finish second 🙂
Sorry I was talking about Kim but it could be Scherzer or both! Lol
I think either Scherzer or Verlander sign with the Tigers. Although, I could definitely see Scherzer going back to the Nationals and help that young pitching staff.
I don’t believe the Tigers would bring either of them back. Can’t live in the past and Illitch is too cheap.
“help that young pitching staff”… This is just other fan-contrived notion that doesn’t really happen very often. Just because he has the knowledge and experience to be of help does not mean that he is willing to do so.
When and in what world does Scherzer ever help anyone but himself? He was the big shot, big money, big-mouthed big man on that ’23 Mets team that flopped so very badly. He had the most experience overall, and the most success. But while he was always quick with a smug, smart-mouthed answer to reporters, he never once said or did anything in that locker room that showed any kind of leadership or seniority. When things got really bad, he asked out of the situation, going to ownership demanding to know their plan, and that they trade him if they’re not planning to contend soon. And when they accommodated him, eating all of his salary to do so, he just trashed them and went public with what it is they’d said to him. Sorry. But Max is about Max.
Max or JV back to Detroit would make a good story. Not to mention they could both help the staff. Ease Jobe into a starters role or maybe even a piggyback.
In general, veteran pitchers (especially the HOF types) have a positive influence on young pitchers if only in the way they approach pitching to maximize results.
Are the arb rules the same as last year? Could we see a repeat of the JD Davis/SF situation?
Yuppers, Arb contract rules haven’t changed.
Per CBA, yes. I doubt we’ll see a JD Davis situation again. It’s bad business and sets a precedence to compel players to go to an arb hearing instead of negotiating a middle ground for a (potential partially-guaranteed) contract. A team like the Yankees almost never go to an arb hearing with players.
I can’t find it right now but thought I read that several teams including the Padres and Yankees hadn’t gone to arbitration with a player since before COVID. Will continue to look to try to find link.
AJ Preller has never been to an Arb meeting. He has always given contracts prior to any Arb-uments.
The last time the Yankees went to arb was with Dellim Betances I think.
Don’t see that surname much, YBC… any relation to Dellin Betances?
=P
If everything about Kim’s performance passes the eyeball and advanced metrics examination, then he would be the perfect player for the Yanks. If his glove is at least decent, then he can man 2b or LF and be a backup SS if Volpe needs to be replaced for any reason. He could also spell someone in LF should JD or Belli need time off. For the Yanks they could leave Jazz at 3rdand old Kim into 2b. He seems to have great bat to ball skills, draws a walk without striking our much, and cities be an excellent leadoff or number 2 hitter.
The Lee contract is a huge mistake? Dude, he played a little more than a month before having that season-ending shoulder injury from giving up his body for the team. Give the guy a chance to prove whether it’s a win or bust for the Giants.
I think Lee could be a heck of a lead off guy in this league.
He showed potential before the wall got him.
You think you know that from 37 games of playing time? Cut us some slack.
Ha ha ha. “Looks like a huge mistake”. Yeah mate. That first month was diabolical.
Another annoying as fark “expert” trying to turn a thought bubble into a reality that suits his opinion.
Ok. I’m a fool.
How many games did you watch him playing ?
Well the silence answers that question. Why am I not surprised.
I never have to check the name of the writer whenever I see a headline like “Kim’s Window Draws Closed”. Good morning Mr. Deeds.
@baseball. Who’s saying hye seong kim is going to get 100 million. Not sure will this lee comparison comes from besides completely from left field.The reason he’s not signed yet is because teams are trying to drive his price down. He compares to ha seong with his kbo numbers. Just has less power, but he’s still 26. Still think Yankees will get ha on a one year deal, so he can get a bigger deal next year. Padres, angels, Mariners will get hye.
@baseball. Lee was mentioned purely to say the contract prediction could be off. Also kim plays infield a position that’s harder to fill. Your saying teams won’t risk it like he’s going to get 20 aav.
Ha I’ve only heard that he can’t play ss out the gate. He had surgery before neto. Neto is only out a month. I don’t see why he couldn’t play 2nd.
Unless the bottom falls out of Cashman’s floor, there’s no way he’s thinking yep we’re good with DJ at 3rd. Honestly everything else will have to fall through. DJ is backup/emergency starter only at this point.
I’m not sure I see this Kim either, but who knows, Ha Seoung maybe. Though I think the new Kim will be signed by someone.
There has been lots of excitement among Mariner fans and I don’t get it. A powerless utility player coming from a league that has produced few hitters (and just one that I can think of, Kang, who hit in his first MLB season). doesn’t exactly scream ‘regular role’.
If he ends up in Seattle, I’d be surprised if it’s for more than 8m on a 2-year deal. He would likely be their replacement utility infielder while Dylan Moore takes second or third base.
Ji-Man Choi had eight seasons of OPS+ north of 100, including several over 120, sometimes going as high as 140 and even 160.
And he hit .171/.271/,339 his first year.
I didn’t say only one Korean player could hit in MLB. Shin-soo Choo was excellent as well.
The point is that Seattle has a limited window and they need bats they can rely on immediately.
I’d like both Ha-Song and Haesong because the 3B market is desert dry and both would be upgrades over Shenton. But you’re probably right on Haesong – he’s Brendan Ryan with a skosh more speed.
@stevil. Kang broke his leg. Got three dui’s, had a sexually assault. Had his visa revoked. That’s mostly why he had one good year, and when he didn’t I’m sure he was dealing with some crap.
My point had nothing to do with Kang’s career on or off the field.
The point is that KBO players don’t typically produce quickly in MLB. Even Ha-Seong Kim had a rough first year.
@stevil.
I didn’t even see a point.
You brought up Kang said he had one good year. Which was true but he barely played and it was because of legal issues.
As far as him struggling the first year that will most likely happen. You can probably say every player has.
In relation to Seattle.
Big difference between a pre-arb prospect with no experience and a foreign free agent with no experience that costs millions, too.
STL pays down half of Mikolas and Matz (total due: 31m) to unload them and uses the 15.5m saving to pay for most of Scherzer’s homecoming without increasing payroll.
Yeah, I know it won’t happen, but it would be a good baseball story
I think max would be a great fit in Milwaukee…. A possible
Contender decent bullpen even minus Williams good defence behind him….. could limit his innings a one year deal the brewers are not stuck into a large contract it’s a good fit
come on yankees
bat kim 9th and enjoy watching him play defense with volpe
KBO is not a great league….worse than Japan. Kim’s career KBO OPS is just .766. Lee was massively overpaid and his career KBO OPS was .898. His MLB OPS was just .641 albeit a small; sample. size. You can do the math…
@degaz. Well 28 million isn’t a huge overpay. He has pretty much the same numbers as ha-seong. Also Lee barely played and was adjusting. I’m glad you guys aren’t gms you would’ve traded Bobby with jr after his first year.
Nah…you’re taking a massive risk with Asian hitters. Especially non NPB hitters. You can count on one hand successful non-NPB hitters in MLB with probably a few fingers to spare….
Non hyphenated Kim would make sense here for both sides. Angels need talent and Kim might take a year or so to adapt to MLB.
@halosheavenjj. Especially with rengifo being a free agent. They just need depth he can move around with newman until he gets acclimated.
The Angels need a full rebuild (which will never happen as long as Arte owns them and Trout is on the roster).
Could happen though. The Angels have jumped in and surprised with moves before and it would be an interesting pickup for them
@rsox. Kim makes sense because they’re looking at depth, and they could ease him in plus they need someone that play ss for a month or two. I’m hoping they trade rengifo(fa), ward, and Anderson at the deadline. That should give them a shot in the arm with prospects.
Giants a good fit for Scherzer
I’m thinking Kim ends up with the Mariners or Brewers though i wouldn’t at all be surprised if it’s the Yankees either
Kim has gotten statistically better year after year and he is only 25. His only below average years were when he was 18 and 19. From everything I have read he can also handle himself defensively. Kim is gonna be a sneaky good signing for some team. Probably gonna be 150 million cheaper than Bregman. Not saying he is as good as Bregman but he is not 150 million dollars worse.
There seems to be a lot of people on here not knowing that this article is about Hyeseong Kim (KBO) and not Ha-Seong Kim (MLB – Previously with SD). I believe you are thinking of Ha-Seong Kim, who has been on the Padres. I really like Ha-Seong Kim as well and I think some team will get him for a great price do to his surgery. While I Hyeseong Kim could be a decent back-up infielder/utility guy, I don’t think he will get signed before his window closes.
Off topic but just wanna say. Two of the classiest terrific human beings , teammates loved both so much. Both in my fave category Ryu and Ji man ,
Warren & a B prospect for Arenado w/ Cards retaining g 25%
That would not be enough for the Cards.
Sherzer would be best for a backloaded 1 year contract with bonuses on innings pitched. No teams wants a $39mil injured bench player