Opening match: Kim, Arbitration, Scherzer

As the MLB offseason continues, here are three things we’ll be focusing on throughout the day today:

1. Kim’s posting window will be closed soon:

KBO infielder Kim Hye Sung He has less than 32 hours left in his posting window, which is scheduled to close at 4 pm (Central Time) tomorrow. MLBTR ranks Kim No. 26 on our annual MLB Top 50 Free Agents list, and we project Kim to be offered a three-year, $28MM deal at the start of the offseason. That being said, it’s worth noting that the earning power of international free agents can be difficult to predict, as is King’s compatriot Li Zhenghou He signed a nine-figure contract with the Giants last winter that exceeded all expectations when he took over.

There have been few concrete rumors regarding Kim’s free agency so far this offseason, and with so little known about Kim’s free agency, it’s difficult to predict which teams might be interested in the infielder, or if he will Could consider returning to Kiwoom Heroes in 2025 if he is unable to find a contract he likes. King is primarily a second baseman but also has experience at shortstop and is generally considered a strong defender who should have little trouble handling third base if needed. The Mariners, Yankees, Angels, Cubs, Padres and Brewers are among many teams that could be potential suitors for a versatile infielder like King.

2. The deadline for arbitration applications is approaching:

Every winter, arbitration-eligible players around the league either have to come to an agreement with their clubs or face arbitration hearings, and this winter the day is coming for those players. The deadline to file for arbitration is one week from today, January 9. Deadline, adopt the so-called “submit-then-” method. Most arbitration-level players typically sign before the deadline to avoid arbitration, as Royals right-hander Kyle Wright Did it last month. There will be more players following in Wright’s footsteps next week, including what’s sure to be a slew of trades on deadline day.

3. Is the Scherzer market heating up?

Yesterday’s reports indicated that four teams were in the market for the future Hall of Famer Max Scherzeralthough no specific club has been linked to the veteran pitcher. Scherzer, 40, is coming off an injury-plagued season and is no longer the perennial Cy Young Award contender he was in his prime. Even so, the right-hander is still valuable when healthy, posting a 3.81 ERA (109 ERA+) and a 26.8% strikeout rate over the past two seasons. The eight-time All-Star is one of the top prospects on the market and provides a relatively low-cost alternative to the remaining top pitchers on the market. Jack Flaherty and Nick Pivettawhile standing out among the crowd of veterans looking for one-year deals as the most impactful option on the market at this level because Walker Buehler has been removed from the board of directors.