Why haven’t the Pirates made an offer?
25-year-old KBO middle-infielder Hyeseong Kim’s 30-day window to sign with an MLB team is coming to a close this Friday at 5 p.m., and the Pittsburgh Pirates should be one of the teams in pursuit. While most of this offseason’s talk is centered around the Pirates’ needs at first base, corner outfield, and the bullpen, another middle-infielder through trade or free agency is necessary. Before getting into Kim, let’s evaluate the current situation up the middle.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa is a great defender, showed some promise with his bat last season, and should be the Opening Day shortstop with Oneil Cruz moving to centerfield. Still, his career averages suggest that getting an average to above-average season from him at the plate is unlikely, and we know he doesn’t bring any power to the lineup. As for Nick Gonzales, he managed to quiet the noise about potentially being another first-round bust, but his swing and approach at times do not provide much confidence to solidify him as the everyday second baseman.
It’s hard to know what to expect from Nick Yorke, a second baseman and corner outfielder who has been on the rise in AAA and was acquired from the Red Sox at the MLB Trade Deadline for RHP Quinn Priester, and what the Pirates’ plans are for him this season. Liover Peguero, a once coveted prospect that was acquired by Ben Cherington in 2021, was denied a legitimate opportunity in the Major Leagues last season despite showing promise with the team in 2023.
Spencer Horwitz should get occasional playing time at second base, and Jared Triolo’s defense as a utility infielder earned a Gold Glove in 2024, but his production at the plate was horrific. Termarr Johnson, the Pirates number three prospect, is still a year away at least, as he showed some inconsistencies last season at High-A Greensboro.
With more questions than answers at both second base and shortstop for 2025 and beyond, signing Hyeseong Kim would be a low-risk high-reward option for the Pirates. Kim is just 25-years old and has performed at the highest level in the KBO. Since 2021, he has hit .304 or higher with an OBP no lower than .372. 2024 was his overall best season, as he showed more slug, hitting a career high 11 home runs and 75 RBI in 127 games.
The best part of Kim’s game is his speed on the basepaths and high end defense. He has 211 stolen bases in seven seasons (30 last season), and is the only KBO infielder ever to win a Gold Glove at shortstop (‘21) and second base (‘23 and ‘24). Kim is probably looking for a 3-4 year deal worth no more than $10 million per year.
Kim came to the United States on November 29, reportedly staying and training in Los Angeles, but has since returned to Korea. There has been no official reports on how negotiations have gone, but according to a report, he has five offers from the Angels, Mariners, Padres, Reds and Blue Jays.
It’s more likely that Kim signs to a team on the west coast, but if the Reds and Blue Jays are making a push, there is no good reason why the Pirates shouldn’t. But they probably don’t have enough “financial flexibility” at this time.