I wrote group 2 again? Dodgers Crazy, Kim Hye-sung Recruiting Competitor...We didn't even have a 40-member roster
Feb 10, 2025
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The Los Angeles Dodgers have already spent nearly $1.5 billion (about 2.1835 trillion won) over the past two years, but have also shown off their financial power. Major U.S. foreign media, including `ESPN' and 'The Athletic', agreed to a one-year contract with the Dodgers on the 10th (Korea time). A physical examination remains, and the contract amount has not yet been disclosed,' it was reported in unison.
Kim Hye-sung, who will make his Major League debut this year, is unwelcome news. Kim Hye-sung agreed to a three-year contract with the Dodgers on the 4th of last month to guarantee a total of $12.5 million (about 18.1 billion won). The condition is that if the club option to extend its two-year contract between 2028 and 2029, it will receive up to 22 million dollars (about 32 billion won). The Dodgers were choosing Gavin Lux as their second baseman at the time, so Kim Hye-sung's competition to start was not expected to be easy, but as the club soon traded Lux to the Cincinnati Reds, Kim Hye-sung was expected to be appointed as their second baseman. In a situation where he draws a picture of settling smoothly as a second baseman, veteran Hernandez's stay is inevitably strained.
Hernandez is an all-around utility that can include outfielders, second basemen, and shortstop. Until last year, he played 11 seasons in the Major League and spent eight seasons with the Dodgers. He is also famous as a player that Dodgers fans love very much. Last season, he only hit .229 (83 for 362) and OPS 0.654 in 126 games, but he helped with 12 home runs and 42 RBIs.
The Athletic said Hernandez caught the attention of other contenders thanks to his versatile defense and talent to become a hero in the fall. After an offseason in which the Dodgers invested $1 billion, they continue to spend money, investing nearly $500 million in a year and taking care of other businesses. This flaunting of financial resources includes the acquisition of outfielder Teoscar Hernandez for three years and $66 million. The Dodgers signed KBO star infielder Kim Hye-sung and even added Michael Confoto to the already crowded outfield. Chris Taylor is in the final year of his contract. There was no room on the Dodgers 40-man roster until this spring, and there was no way to put Hernandez on their depth chart. There was always a possibility of reunification, but he said, `Even though the Dodgers have already spent a lot of money, they have not been able to give up their desire to reinforce their power.
Kim Hye-sung is not a proven player in the major leagues yet, so he seems to have spared no additional expenditure to catch Hernandez. Kim Hye-sung is expected to have to compete for survival to secure the main second baseman in this spring camp.
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So far, Kim's strongest competitor appeared to be Tommy Edman. Edman was recognized for his value by signing a five-year, $74 million (about 107.7 billion won) contract with the Dodgers after finishing last season as a second baseman Gold Glove-winning player. Still, the club wanted to breathe when it announced its intention to use Edman as a center fielder, but Hernandez's addition complicated the competition.
The Dodgers' greed seems to be endless. The Dodgers successfully signed Roki Sasaki, who was the pitcher's biggest fish this winter. Sasaki was under the age of 25 and was classified as an international amateur player rather than a general FA under the U.S.-Japan professional baseball agreement, so he had to sign a minor league contract. The Dodgers succeeded in reinforcing the starting rotation by recruiting Sasaki cheaply with a down payment of $6.5 million (about 9.3 billion won).
Ahead of last season, the Dodgers signed world-renowned superstar Shohei Ohtani for 10 years and $700 million (about 1.101 trillion won), and even Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was the pitcher's biggest fish, signed for $325 million (about 468.9 billion won) for 12 years, surprising major league officials. Tyler Glasnow, an ace pitcher, was acquired in a trade and tied to an extended contract.
There have been several recruitments this winter, and they surprised the industry again by bringing in special closer Kirby Yates and Tanner Scott at the same time to build the league's strongest bullpen.
The Dodgers are not satisfied with winning the World Series last year and are not sparing any investment in building a dynasty. MLB.com says it has been 25 years since there has been no World Series winner for two consecutive years. The Dodgers set a clear goal of ending the drought and continue to move.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
