After saying goodbye to the Kiwoom Heroes fans, Lee Jung-hoo (25) has now officially started his Major League Baseball (MLB) career.
Lee, who hasn’t played since undergoing surgery for an ankle injury in late July, appeared as a substitute in the final home game against the Samsung Lions at the Gocheok Sky Dome on July 10.
It was a “farewell” to Kiwoom fans for Lee, who had already announced his MLB ambitions after last season.
After the game, he said, “I want to give meaning to the fact that I was able to show my last appearance (at home) on the field,” adding, “It was emotional. I have a longer baseball career ahead of me than the next seven years, but I will never forget these first seven years in my heart.”안전놀이터
After being drafted by the Nexen Heroes (now Kiwoom) in 2017, Lee began his professional career as one of the best hitters in the KBO.
In seven seasons, he batted .340 with 65 home runs, 515 RBIs, 69 doubles, 581 runs scored, and an OPS of 0.898. Last season, he won five awards, leading the league in batting average, hits, RBIs, slugging percentage, and on-base percentage, and was named the league’s Most Valuable Player (MVP).
After the 2022 season, the MLB Challenge became official. We had to go through the posting system, so we got permission from the organization early on. At the end of January this year, he teamed up with MLB’s “super agent” Scott Boras.
MLB teams are interested in Lee because of his ability to excel in the field, fielding, and running.
The San Francisco Giants have been the most active in their interest. Giants general manager Pete Putteler personally visited his relatives on the 10th to watch the game and gave them a standing ovation.
In addition to the Giants, the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres are expected to make a move, according to The Athletic.
NBC Sports recommended the Pittsburgh Pirates sign Lee at the end of the season.
After seven seasons in the KBO, Lee went through the posting system.
According to the 2018 revised Korea-U.S. Professional Baseball Agreement, 30 MLB clubs are free to negotiate for 30 days after the posting.
The amount of money Kiwoom will receive is also of interest. The amount depends on the size of the contract.
If an MLB team offers a player $25 million or less in guaranteed money, they will pay 20% of that to his former team.
If the total guaranteed contract is between $25 million and $50 million, you get 20% of $25 million ($5 million) plus 17.5% of the amount over $25 million.
If the total guaranteed amount exceeds $50 million, 20% of $25 million ($5 million), 17.5% of $25 million to $50 million, and 15% of all amounts over $50 million will be paid to the former club.
When Kim signed a four-year, $28 million guaranteed contract with San Diego after the 2020 season through the posting system, his former team received $5.25 million in posting money.
As a senior in the big leagues, Kim assured Lee of his success.
On his way home on the 11th, he said, “(Lee) Jung-hoo is a near-complete hitter, so I don’t have any advice. His hitting, defense, and baserunning are excellent. Even if he competes with MLB players, he will not be outclassed.”
