Giants reportedly sign outfielder Jung Hoo Lee to six-year, $113 million deal
The Giants agreed to terms on a six-year, $113 million deal with free agent outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. Lee’s deal also includes an opt-out clause after four years.
There is also a $19 million posting fee that the Giants will send to his old team, the Kiwoom Heroes.
The longtime Korean Baseball Organization star earns the biggest contract for an Asian-born hitter coming to Major League Baseball. Lee’s contract exceeds the five-year, $90 million deal that the Red Sox gave to Masataka Yoshida last offseason.
The Giants finally land a free agent after losing out on Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa last winter. While Lee isn’t in the same category of both Judge or Correa, the longtime KBO hitter will bring his .340 career average to Bob Melvin’s lineup.
Lee’s 2023 campaign came to end after he fractured his ankle. In 86 games, he slashed .318/.406/.455 with six home runs and 45 RBIs.
The 25-year-old spent seven seasons in the KBO and quickly became one of the leagues top hitters. In addition to his impressive offensive stats, he is also a five-time Gold Glove winner in center field. He also offers above average speed and great instincts in the outfield. Lee has racked 28 outfield assists, showcases his throwing arm.
“I’m fascinated at the low AAV for this deal, just $19.2 million, which prices him as an average regular at best,” wrote The Athletic’s Keith Law. “I’d be surprised if he fell short of that value, even with my skepticism over his lack of power — he might be an 8-12 homer a year guy — and the natural concerns about any left-handed hitter who’s shown a mild platoon split whether overseas or in the minors.”
The Giants now have a Gold Glove caliber outfielder, how that translates to the majors remains to be seen and left-handed hitting option in the middle-to-lower half of their lineup.
The new contract given to Lee shouldn’t take the Giants out of the running from adding another bat like Cody Bellinger or Jorge Soler.
Follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisHenrique
For additional Red Sox, Bruins, Patriots, MLB and NFL content follow Beyond the Monster on Twitter @BeyondtheMnstr.
