Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have reached agreement on a two-year free agent contract with Korean outfielder Hyun-soo Kim. It’s believed to be worth $3.5 million per year, or $7 million total.
Kim, a 27-year-old left-handed hitter, registered a .318/.406/.488 batting line across 10 seasons with the Doosan Bears of the Korea Baseball Organization. He slugged a career-high 28 home runs this summer in the KBO while drawing 101 walks against 63 strikeouts.
Kim flew to the United States on Wednesday morning to work out the final details of the contract and to take his pre-signing physical. He fits the Orioles’ need for a left-handed-hitting corner outfielder, though it’s unlikely his power will fully translate. Or even partially translate.
This could turn into more of a depth signing than anything for the O’s.
Not every Korean is going to pull a Jung Ho Kang.