Free agent Jung-Hoo Lee, 25, has suddenly become MLB.com’s third tier of the 2023-2024 free agent market. MLB.com broke down the tiers of free agents on Dec. 13. Shohei Ohtani (29) is the only Tier 1 player. Cody Bellinger (28), Matt Chapman (30), Sonny Gray (34), Josh Hader (29), J.D. Martinez (36), Jordan Montgomery (31), Aaron Nola (30), Blake Snell (31), Jorge Soler (32), and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (25) are in Tier 2.굿모닝토토 주소
Lee Jung-hoo is in the third tier. MLB.com reports, “The 25-year-old outfielder underwent ankle surgery in July and is expected to be posted by Kiwoom after the season. He hit .429 in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and was the KBO League MVP in 2022. In seven years in South Korea, he has a .340 average, .407 on-base percentage, and .490 slugging percentage, and is considered an above-average defender among center fielders.”
The American media has been kind to Lee. CBS Sports is projecting five years and $90 million, ESPN is projecting five years and $63 million, and The Athletic is projecting four years and $56 million. It’s unclear which team Lee will actually sign with, but with such a high demand for his services, it’s unlikely his price will drop anytime soon.
Lee visited Jamsil Stadium in Seoul on Sunday to catch up with his best friends Kim Ha-seong (28, San Diego Padres) and Ryu Hyun-jin (36, free agent). They watched Game 5 of the Korean Series between the LG Twins and KT Wiz from the stands. “I think he’ll do well if he adapts quickly,” Ryu said of Lee Jung-hoo, a major leaguer.
Joining Lee in the third tier of free agents are Tim Anderson (shortstop), Harrison Vader (29), Jamie Kendallario (30), Aroldis Chapman (36), Zach Flaherty (28), Lucas Giolito (29), Rueredes Gurriel Jr. (30), Teoscar Hernandez (31), and Jordan Hicks (27), Reese Hawkins (31), Imanaga Shota (30), Clayton Kershaw (36), Craig Cambrell (35), Whit Merrifield (35), Hector Neris (34), Hunter Renfroe (32), David Robertson (38), Eduardo Rodriguez (30), Yariel Rodriguez (27), Marcus Stroman (32), Michael Waka (32).
Meanwhile, the list does not include fellow Korean free agents Ryu Hyun-jin (36) and Choi Ji-man (32).