The Cincinnati Reds have made several moves this offseason to strengthen their roster for 2025. Their most significant additions have come through trades, acquiring starting pitcher Brady Singer from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for Jonathan India and minor leaguer Joey Wiemer. They also brought in backup catcher Jose Trevino from the New York Yankees, sending reliever Fernando Cruz and minor league catcher Alex Jackson in return. While the Reds have yet to make a splash in free agency, rumors suggest they are interested in Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim.
Reports from Sports N Plus, a Korean YouTube channel, indicate that multiple teams have submitted offers to Kim, with the Reds among them. A decision is expected soon, as Kim must finalize an agreement by Friday, January 3rd, at 5 PM ET. As a big-league free agent, Kim can sign with any team for any terms they agree upon. MLB Trade Rumors previously projected a 3-year, $24 million deal for him, while Sports N Plus estimates something closer to 3 years and $20 million. Additionally, if the contract value is under $25 million, the signing team must pay 20% of the contract’s value to Kim’s current team, the Kiwoom Heroes of the Korea Baseball Organization.
Kim, soon to be 26 years old, is known more for his defensive abilities than his hitting at the major league level. However, his offensive performance has improved significantly in the last two seasons. In 2023, he batted .335/.396/.446 with seven home runs over 137 games, and in 2024, he hit .326/.383/.458 with a career-high 11 home runs in 127 games. The Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) tends to favor hitters, with the league average OPS rising from .712 in 2023 to .772 in 2024. To illustrate, former Reds player Matt Davidson had a breakout 2024 season in the KBO, hitting .306/.370/.633 with a league-leading 46 home runs after struggling in Japan the prior year.
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Kim’s standout skill is his speed, evidenced by his 211 career stolen bases and only 37 times caught stealing in 952 games since debuting at 18. Defensively, he has primarily played second base and shortstop but also logged 44 games in left field during the 2020 season. Since then, he has focused solely on infield positions.
Given his limited power, Kim may not project as an everyday starter on a healthy roster. However, his speed, defensive versatility, and ability to make contact—he struck out just 62 times in 567 plate appearances in 2024—make him a promising candidate for a valuable bench role.
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