A day after Shohei Ohtani officially became a Dodger, the Giants pulled off their first big win of the offseason, agreeing to a six-year deal with KBO star Jung Hoo Lee, a source told MLB.com's Mark Feinsand on Tuesday.
The club has not confirmed the deal, which one source said is expected to be worth $113 million, with an exit option after four years.
Lee, one of Korea's best players, was signed by the Kiwoom Heroes after seven seasons with the KBO, allowing him to seek an opportunity in Major League Baseball. If he remains in San Francisco for the full length of the contract, the Giants will also owe the Heroes a $18.825 million posting fee, bringing their total outlay to nearly $132 million.
The 25-year-old outfielder posted an impressive .340/.407/.491 slash line during his KBO career and never hit below .318 in a season. Lee is also considered an above-average centerfield defender and has the potential to make an impact on both sides of the ball if he makes the jump to the MLB.
President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi had no comment Tuesday on the Giants' reported agreement with Lee, but reiterated the club's desire to improve its athleticism and defense at center this offseason.
“We talked about shortstop and center field being our two priorities,” Zaidi said during a Zoom call with reporters. “We have internal options at both locations. We have [Mike Yastrzemski] in midfield, although we have spoken about the impact he can make on the right in defence.”
The Giants watched Lee closely before drafting him. General manager Pete Putila traveled to South Korea to attend Lee's final game with the Heroes in October.
“It’s been a great journey,” Putila said earlier this month. “He could do six or seven swings in one shot, so it was great to see him make those swings. I was able to watch him fly balls a few days before the game. Just experiencing the game there, the excitement, the energy was unbeatable.
“It was a really good experience.”
Lee, a second-generation star, followed in his father's footsteps on the path to baseball stardom. He is the son of legendary Korean shortstop Jong Beom Lee, known as “Son of the Wind.” (Jung Hoo Lee is called “Grandson of the Wind” in homage to his father.)
The younger Lee broke into the KBO at a young age, debuting with the Heroes as an 18-year-old in 2017, just five years after his father played his final KBO season.
Lee's best season on the field came in 2022, when he hit .349 with 23 home runs, 113 RBIs and a .996 OPS in 142 games, earning KBO MVP honors. His chance to win a second straight MVP Award was dashed when he suffered a fractured left ankle in July, but the injury is not expected to hamper him in the future.
Before the 2023 KBO season, Lee participated in the World Baseball Classic. While Korea didn't advance beyond pool play, Lee impressed with a .429/.500/.571 batting line with two doubles and five RBIs.
Lee's arrival will further bolster the Giants' outfield, which also includes Yastrzemski, Mitch Haniger, Michael Conforto, Austin Slater, Luis Matos and Wade Meckler.
San Francisco could free up bats in the outfield by moving Haniger and Conforto to the designated hitter spot, although the club could also consider moving out of the group to create more opportunities for younger players.