The Orioles’ search for outfield help has led them overseas, as Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the club has made an offer to Korean outfielder Hyun-Soo Kim. The offer is believed to be for two years at $3-4 million annually.
Kim, a 27-year-old left-handed hitter, owns a .318/.406/.488 batting line over 10 seasons with the Doosan Bears in the Korea Baseball Organization. He slugged a career-high 28 home runs this past season while showing excellent plate discipline with 101 walks against 63 strikeouts. His power is unlikely to translate completely, but the Orioles are willing to take a shot on him after Jung Ho Kang’s success with the Pirates this past season.
Kim is a free agent this winter, so the Orioles wouldn’t have to go through the posting process in order to sign him. Connolly believes that he’d likely slot in at left field if a deal gets done.