Mariners might have edge on key international free agent after MLB insider's update

The Seattle Mariners are in need of infield help and many are wondering how they are going to go about it this offseason with the Winter Meetings beginning on Sunday. Now is the time for the solutions to be put into action.

Mark Feinsand of MLB.com was providing an update on what could be discussed and take place at the Winter Meetings when asked about Hyeseon Kim being posted at 8 a.m. ET Thursday (Kim's posting will last for 30 days). During the interview, he talked about how several teams would be interested in the 25-year-old infielder, but one of the main teams he mentioned was the Mariners.

He mentioned that he thought the M's would be big players for Kim, as they're in need of infield help and want to change their offensive profile. They need players who get on base at a high clip, don't strike out, and can move on the base paths, and that is what Kim brings.

Feinsand doesn't think it will take a massive contract to sign Kim, so that makes him an even more desirable signing for the Mariners.

Kim is a very good contact hitter who gets on base well and is able to run when he does. For his career, he has slashed .304/.364/.403 with a .767 OPS, but over his last two years, he has an on-base percentage over .380, a slugging percentage over .450, and an OPS over .840. Kim has also stolen over 20 bases in each of the past seven seasons, with his career-high being 46 in 2021. Kim has played mostly second base and shortstop since 2022, but has also seen some time at third base and left field in his career.

Kim is exactly the type of player the Mariners need to bring in. He isn't going to cost them a fortune and he fits directly into their infield. He can start right away at second or third base, and could even give Crawford a rest at shortstop when he needs it.

On the offensive side, Kim could slot in at the top of the lineup for the Mariners, who really struggled to have runners consistently on base. The only players under contract for next season that had an on-base percentage above .325 are Randy Arozarena and Victor Robles. The Mariners desperately need players who can get on base, and Kim can deliver that while being a threat once he's there. The Mariners only had three players with over 11 stolen bases, and just two with over 25.

The Mariners have multiple needs they need to address this offseason. Their entire infield outside of JP Crawford needs to be upgraded, and they could use help at the corner outfield and DH spots. Kim is someone they could bring in that would fit perfectly fit a current deficiency but wouldn't prevent them from finding more upgrades. He would also give them flexibility in the infield to bring in either a second baseman or a third baseman since Kim could play either. It makes sense why Feinsand would mention the Mariners as real suitors for Kim — in fact, he almost makes too much sense.