The Kiwoom Heroes handed over the medical records of Jung Hoo Lee to KBO League officials, signaling his imminent posting for Major League teams. According to Yonhap News’ Jeeho Yoo, Lee is expected to be officially posted in early December after the standard review process between KBO and MLB officials, factoring in a delay due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
This move is expected to trigger a competitive market for Lee’s services, with the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reporting interest from 20 teams in the outfielder. Given this high level of interest, it is anticipated that Lee’s potential contract could surpass the projection of a five-year, $50MM deal, considering his impressive track record in South Korea and his young age of 25. The Giants, Yankees, and Padres have been linked to Lee’s market so far.
Though Lee’s expected contract value is lower than that of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the two players share similarities in the market due to their youth. However, some scouts are not completely convinced about Lee’s power against MLB pitching, making his contract potential a subject of wide-ranging opinions.
As per the league posting rules, Lee will have 45 days to sign with a Major League team once his posting period opens. However, if he fails to secure a contract within the stipulated timeframe, he will return to the Heroes for the 2024 KBO season. The Heroes will receive a percentage of Lee’s eventual contract as a posting fee, potentially amounting to $9.375MM based on MLBTR’s projected $50MM deal.
David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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