South Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee has reportedly agreed to a six-year, $113 million contract with the San Francisco Giants, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
This person shared the information on condition of remaining anonymous since the agreement had not been made official by the team.
Lee, who was South Korea’s Most Valuable Player in 2022, will be able to terminate the contract after four years to enjoy full autonomy. It will have touched 72 million after four years.
The Giants finalized the pact after failing to land Japanese star Shohei Ohtani, who ultimately agreed to a record 10-year, $700 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Aged 25, Lee played for the Kiwoom Heroes. The South Korean team will receive compensation of 12.675 million if Lee plays with the Giants for four seasons. The amount will reach 18.825 million if the player plays the six seasons provided for in the pact.
Lee had a .318 batting average, producing 48 runs in 86 games this season, before fracturing his left ankle on July 22. His average was .349 in 2022, when he set personal marks with 23 homers and 113 RBIs in 142 games.
