It's not so much that the Mariners missed out on Kim, but it's that they missed out on Kim when he had a guaranteed role coming to him.

The Los Angeles Dodgers signed Korean Baseball Organization star Hye-seong Kim to a three-year deal on January 3. He would presumably take over as the team's everyday second baseman. That could mean the Dodgers no longer need one of their longtime starters.

Kim could become the next Dodger utility man, following in the footsteps of Kike Hernandez, the only position player from the 2024 World Series team not under contract with the Dodgers. Hernandez remains a free agent.