As Hye-seong Kim approaches the prospect of being posted by the Kiwoom Heroes, interest in the 25-year-old player is generating from multiple Major League Baseball (MLB) clubs. According to MLB Network's Jon Morosi, the Seattle Mariners are one of the teams that have conducted thorough evaluations of Kim ahead of his eligibility to sign with an MLB franchise.

Kim recently completed his eighth season with the Kiwoom Heroes after turning professional in 2017 at the age of 18. During the 2023 season, he recorded impressive statistics, hitting .326/.383/.458 with 11 home runs and 30 runs batted in over the course of 127 games. His remarkable speed on the base paths was evident as he recorded 30 stolen bases, ranking him 10th in the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) and tying him for 13th with his batting average. On October 31, the KBO announced that MLB had requested status checks on two players, one of whom was Kim. These status checks are issued when at least one MLB team expresses interest in a Korean player, although the specific teams and players involved are not disclosed. It is important to note that a status check does not indicate the start of the posting process.

The Kiwoom Heroes previously announced in January that they would be posting Kim to MLB clubs following the 2024 season. Although the specific timeframe for KBO teams to post players remains unclear, it has typically occurred between early November and mid-December in previous years. Once a player is posted, all 30 MLB teams gain the opportunity to negotiate with both the player and their representatives within a designated timeframe. Since Kim is 25 years old and possesses more than six years of professional experience, he will be eligible to sign a contract for any amount. A Major League club signing him will also need to pay a release fee to the Kiwoom Heroes, which is calculated based on the guaranteed money included in his contract. Known for his speed and defensive prowess, Kim has consistently stolen at least 20 bases in each of the past seven seasons, including four seasons with 30 or more stolen bases. Additionally, he was awarded three consecutive KBO Gold Glove awards from 2021 to 2023, primarily playing at second base and shortstop. The Mariners may find themselves in need of a second baseman following the decision to decline Jorge Polanco's $12 million option for the upcoming season. They could also seek an offensive upgrade at shortstop, as J.P. Crawford recorded a batting line of .202/.304/.321 last season, although his defensive capabilities may secure him a starting role heading into the 2025 season.