Tommy Hyun-soo Edman (29), a mixed-race player who played as a member of the Korean national baseball team, signed an extension contract with his team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, for a five-year contract period and a total of $74 million (about KRW 113.3 billion).
The Dodgers announced on the 30th (Korea Standard Time) that they signed Edman, the hero of the 2024 Major League Baseball (MLB) World Series and the MVP of the National League Championship Series (NLCS).
Edman will wear the Dodgers uniform until 2029 with this contract.
ESPN said, “The contract included $13 million in team options for the 2030 season and a $3 million buyout.”
Edman made his big league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2019 and played as the main fielder with the best defense in the league.
In 2021, he was selected as the winner of the Gold Glove National League (NL) second baseman category, which is given to the best defenders in each category.
However, this year, he did not play a single game until July due to right wrist surgery and ankle injuries, and transferred to the Dodgers through a triangular trade on July 30.
Edman did not play much in 37 regular-season games after his transfer, hitting .237, six homers and 20 RBIs, but he showed his true value in the postseason.
He was named the series MVP in six NLCS games against the New York Mets, with 11 hits in 27 at-bats (a batting average of 0.407), one home run, 11 RBIs, and 1.023 on-base plus slugging (OPS).
In five games against the New York Yankees and the World Series (WS), he also played a perfect game with five hits in 17 at-bats (0.294 batting average), one home run, one RBI, and an OPS of 0.988.
The Dodgers quickly caught Edman, who will become a free agent after the 2025 season.
The Dodgers highly evaluated Edman’s utilization.
Edman is a switch-hitter who can see both infield and outfield defenses and hits from both at-bats.
“The Dodgers plan to use Mookie Betts as an infielder and Edman as a center fielder in the 2025 season,” ESPN said. “Bets may consider playing as a second baseman and Edman as a shortstop.”
Edman is a familiar player to Korean 메이저놀이터 baseball fans.
He is the son of Kwak Kyung-ah, an immigrant from Korea, and played second base for the Korean national team at the 2023 World Baseball Classic (WBC).
Meanwhile, the WS Champion Dodgers in the 2024 season continue to be aggressive in the stove league this winter, including signing FA starting pitcher Blake Snell for a five-year contract period and a total of $182 million on the 27th.
Ahead of the 2024 season, the Dodgers acquired superstar Shohei Ohtani for a 10-year total of $700 million and starting pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto for a 12-year total of $325 million.
