Will Kiwoom Heroes Lee Jeong-hoo (25) work together again with San Diego Padres Kim Ha-seong (28)?
The American media East Village Times reported on the 29th (Korean time), “San Diego will be interested in Korean outfielder Lee Jeong-hoo. “The goal of general manager AJ Preller and the staff is to increase the consistent offensive power of the batting lineup next season,” he said, adding that San Diego will attempt to recruit Jeong-hoo Lee.
Lee Jung-hoo is one of the best hitters representing the KBO League. In a total of 884 games in the KBO League, he recorded a batting average of .304 (1,181 hits in 3,476 at-bats), 65 home runs, 515 RBIs, and an OPS of .898. In 142 games last season, he had a batting average of .304 (193 hits in 553 at-bats), 23 home runs, and 113 RBIs. 996, winning five batting awards (batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, RBI, most hits) and the league MVP.
Lee Jeong-hoo, who announced his intention to advance to the major league through a post after the season ended, ended the season early due to injury, but performed well in 86 games with a batting average of .3018 (105 hits in 330 at-bats), 6 home runs, 45 RBI, and an OPS of .861. reaped Even though he finished the important season unfortunately due to injury, the interest of major league clubs in Lee Jung-hoo is great.
The East Village Times said, “San Diego is interested in the 25-year-old outfielder (Lee Jeong-hoo) and has been scouting him for a long time. This week, we learned that San Diego is willing to negotiate with Lee Jung-hoo. San Diego officials said, ‘We are interested. He is a talented player. “And we are already discussing it internally,” he said, explaining that San Diego is seriously considering recruiting Lee Jung-hoo.
San Diego has already signed Kim Ha-seong, who entered the major league from Kiwoom, for $28 million (about 38 billion won) guaranteed over four years. Ha-seong Kim has been having successful seasons for three years, and this season he had a career-high season with a batting average of .206 (140 hits in 538 at-bats) in 152 games, 17 home runs, 60 RBIs, 84 runs, 38 stolen bases, and an OPS of .749. He showed incredible defensive skills at all infield positions and was a finalist for two Gold Glove awards (second baseman and utility).
The East Village Times pointed out that “San Diego is frustrated that Juan Soto did not respond to extension contract discussions,” and added, “KBO League hitters often performed poorly in the major leagues, but Kim Ha-seong adapted well to major league pitchers. Ha-seong Kim is now expected to be able to sign a contract similar to that received by Masataka Yoshida (Boston, 5 years, $90 million) last winter. “If Lee Jung-hoo is added to the lineup, he will be able to make up for Soto’s absence to some extent,” he analyzed.카지노사이트
In addition to San Diego, Lee Jeong-hoo is also showing keen interest in San Francisco. In Lee Jeong-hoo’s final home game, general manager Pete Putilla personally visited Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul to watch Lee Jeong-hoo’s final at-bat. There are reports that the Dodgers are also interested in Lee Jeong-hoo, and it seems that clubs in the western region where many Korean players such as Chan-ho Park, Hyun-jin Ryu (Toronto), and Ha-seong Kim have played are showing a lot of interest in Jeong-hoo Lee.
However, in an interview before the last home game of the season, Lee Jung-hoo said, “Actually, I don’t know major league clubs very well. Everyone knows only about the Dodgers and Yankees. I guess I’ll find out once I start the posting process. “I think my agent will take care of it well,” he said, declining to say anything about his preferred club.
Lee Jung-hoo and Kim Ha-seong, who played together for four years from 2017, when Lee Jeong-hoo debuted, to 2020, before Kim Ha-seong entered the major league, may reunite after four years if Lee Jung-hoo signs with San Diego. Regarding playing with Kim Ha-seong, Lee Jeong-hoo said, “(Kim) Ha-seong only has one year left, so I don’t know. Also, since trade is active in the major leagues, if Ha-seong Lee Hyeong’s value increases, he could be traded. “I don’t know what will happen to him,” he said with a laugh.