Dodgers lose valuable pitching depth option in free agency to Korea

Ah, another consequence of the lockout that was induced by the owners. Some foreign players who are either unestablished, without a home, or are simply getting up there in age have a longer time to ponder whether they want to return to their native country.

That just happened with South Korean left-hander Kwang-Hyun Kim, who finished up his two-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2021 campaign. How does this relate to the Los Angeles Dodgers, though?

Kim was expected to be a worthwhile target for a number of teams in great need of capable starters or pitching depth in general. Across his two seasons in St. Louis, Kim finished with a 10-7 record, 2.97 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 134 ERA+, 4.22 FIP and 104 strikeouts in 35 games (28 starts), totaling 145.2 innings.

In the end, Kim opted to sign a lengthy four-year deal with KBO’s SSG Landers as he enters his age-33 season. The lefty previously spent 12 years with KBO’s SK Wyverns (2007-2019) before giving it a shot in Major League Baseball.

If the Dodgers were considering Kwang-Hyun Kim, they’re out of luck

Fans could’ve safely assumed the Dodgers would’ve targeted Kim had they been given the chance. He represents a low-cost option to eat over 100 innings, whether it’s in the starting rotation or bullpen, or a combination of both. LA would’ve been an attractive destination for the veteran, too, given he’d be closer to South Korea and would be out of a tumultuous situation in St. Louis following the departure of manager Mike Shildt.

Instead, the Dodgers have been forced to bolster their pitching depth via minor-league signings that probably won’t pan out or will only provide assistance at Triple-A Oklahoma.

Kim slotting into the middle of the rotation and then eventually being moved to the back would’ve been a really helpful scenario for LA. At this moment, the starting rotation consists of Walker Buehler, Julio Urías, Tony Gonsolin and Andrew Heaney, with Dustin May likely returning in the middle of the year as he recovers from Tommy John surgery. Clayton Kershaw returning is hardly a guarantee from what’s been reported, so every little bit helps on the pitching front.

A steady, veteran presence who has averaged 130 innings per season since debuting as a professional in 2007 would’ve been a lot more comforting to have on the staff than hoping a guy like Carson Fulmer can “find his way” and go from first-round bust to major league contributor.

Another bummer is that Kim was flying under the radar this offseason among a free agent pitching class that was particularly bad. The Dodgers could’ve “overpaid” to make it a done deal without sacrificing much, but it looks like Kim will finish out his days as a ball player where it all began for him.

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