South Korean All-Star Kim Hye-seong to Begin MLB Posting Process After U.S. Thanksgiving.

Seoul: KBO infielder Kim Hye-seong has announced that his journey towards Major League Baseball (MLB) will officially begin after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday. The South Korean All-Star second baseman shared his plans during the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) Awards ceremony in Seoul, where he received his second consecutive KBO Fielding Award for his performance at second base.According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Hye-seong has been granted permission by his team, the Kiwoom Heroes, to enter the posting process this offseason, allowing MLB clubs to express interest in acquiring his talents. The Heroes are expected to notify the KBO of Kim's availability shortly, which will prompt the KBO to inform the MLB Commissioner's Office about Kim's posting status.Under the terms of the posting agreement between KBO and MLB, once a player is posted, all 30 MLB teams have a 30-day window to negotiate a contract. This period starts at 8 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) the morning following the notification and ends at 5 p. m. ET on the 30th day. If a deal is not reached, the player may have to wait until the next season to be posted again. KBO teams receive a release fee, based on the player's contract, if a player transitions to MLB.Kim has openly expressed his aspirations to play in the MLB since last year. In response, the Heroes declared in January that Kim would be posted after the 2024 season. Kim has since delivered impressive performances on the field, achieving career highs in home runs and RBIs, while maintaining a strong batting average and stealing bases consistently.The infielder is known for his defensive prowess, which he believes will be his advantage in the MLB. As Kim prepares to make this significant move, he has been taking English lessons to adapt to life in America, although he humorously admitted challenges in mastering the language.Kim follows in the footsteps of former teammates, including Kim Ha-seong and Lee Jung-hoo, who have successfully transitioned to MLB via posting. He has sought advice fr om them on navigating the challenges of playing overseas. While U.S. media speculate on potential MLB destinations such as the Seattle Mariners, Kim remains focused on engaging directly with team officials during his time in the United States to showcase his skills and intentions.