In an under-the-radar move, the San Francisco Giants reportedly agreed to terms with outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman was first with the report adding the deal is worth six years and $133 million with an opt-out after four years.
Jung Hoo Lee to Giants. 6 years, $113M. opt out after 4 years.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 12, 2023
Giants general manager Farhan Zaidi spoke to the media on Tuesday somewhat confirming Heyman’s report.
“I’ll say this,” Zaidi said. “He’s actually got a better chance of being accurate if he actually spelled the guy’s name correctly.”
He was seemingly poking fun at Heyman’s report last year where he tweeted the Giants had signed Aaron Judge, but with an “Arson” typo.
Lee across seven seasons in the Korean Baseball Organization, slashed .340/.407/.491 with 65 home runs.
He was named the 2022 KBO MVP after a .349/.421/.575 line and a career-high 23 home runs in 142 games.
Zaidi also told the media the $113 million for Lee doesn’t include the posting fee from the KBO. That’ll be an additional $19 million.
It’s quite the investment, but after years of searching for a solid outfielder, they were happy to land Lee. An above-average centerfielder who can impact the ball at the plate. I mean, you saw the numbers.
The 25-year-old is also a second generation talent. His father, legendary Korean shortstop Jong Beom Lee, earned his own KBP MVP honors in 1994 and was an All-Star select 14-times over.
