Giants Reportedly Sign Korean Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee to $113M Contract
The San Francisco Giants have reportedly made their first big move of the MLB offseason by signing Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee to a six-year, $113 million free-agent contract, with an opt-out option after the fourth year. The New York Post’s Jon Heyman broke the news on Tuesday, and The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly pointed out that the contract does not include a roughly $19 million posting fee that the Giants will pay Lee’s former team, the Kiwoom Heroes.
Lee, who won the KBO MVP award in 2022, is known for his exceptional skills both at the plate and in the outfield. He batted .349/.421/.575 with 23 home runs, 113 RBI, and a .996 OPS in 2022, and has won five consecutive Gold Glove awards. The 25-year-old is the son of Jong Beom Lee, a legendary shortstop who played 20 combined seasons in the KBO and NPB in Japan, and is nicknamed the “Grandson of the Wind.”
Despite suffering an ankle injury that ended his 2023 season in July, Lee is expected to be the Giants’ everyday center fielder and could be a top-of-the-order staple for years to come. The level of play in the KBO is believed to be the equivalent of somewhere between Double- and Triple-A stateside, with the average fastball velocity around 88 mph compared to 93 in MLB, so there may be an adjustment period for the young lefty.
According to reports, Lee was one of the Giants’ top targets this offseason and was scouted by the organization multiple times leading up to his season-ending injury. The signing of Lee marks a significant investment for the Giants, which is expected to address their need for a reliable outfielder. With his exceptional bat-to-ball skills and elite defense, Lee could provide a major boost to the team’s lineup and improve their performance in the upcoming season.