The St. Louis Cardinals have signed starting pitcher Kwang-hyun Kim two a two-year contract worth $8 million. Kim, 31, comes over from Korea after spending twelve seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) for the SK Wyverns. Kim missed the 2017 season due to having Tommy John surgery. Since having Tommy John, Kim seems to have comeback stronger. In Kim's first full season back in 2018, Kim went 11-8 with a 2.98 era, 25 games, 25 starts, 136 innings, 130 strikeouts, and 30 walks. Kim hadn't had an era in 2.00's since 2010 with a 2.37 era. Last season in 2019, Kim went 17-6 with a 2.51 era, 31 games, 30 starts, 190.1 innings, 180 strikeouts, and 38 walks. The win tied a career high for Kim, he previously won 17 games in 2010. The 190.1 innings were Kim's second most innings pitched in his career. Kim's most innings were 193.2 in 2010. The strikeouts were Kim's second highest in his career, his career high in strikeouts is 183 in 2010.
Kim has been said to be one of the best pitchers in South Korea. The San Diego Padres almost signed Kim in 2014, but then couldn't agree on a contract after winning his rights in a bid. Kim will become the Cardinals second Korean pitcher to have signed with the Cardinals, the first was right handed pitcher Seaung-Hwan Oh on January 11, 2016. Kim also the second pitcher to sign with a MLB team this offseason, he follows Josh Lindblom who signed with the Milwaukee Brewers on December 16, 2019.
Overall, Kim has a record of 136-77 with a 3.27 era, 298 games, 276 starts, 8 complete games, 3 shutouts, 1,673.2 innings, 1,456 strikeouts, and 646 walks.
Kim gives the Cardinals a nice left handed starting pitcher for their rotation if he's able to win a spot in the rotation. The signing of Kim could mean that Carlos Martinez will stay in the bullpen. There's also a chance maybe Kim could become a swingman and start at times if need be.
