Lee Jung-hoo’s (Kiwoom Heroes) estimated ransom has nearly doubled since the opening of Major League Baseball’s Stobrig. What happened?
US sports publication ‘The Athletic’ predicted the destinations and contract sizes of the 17 top free agents remaining on the market on Wednesday (KST). They predicted that Lee Jung-hoo will sign a five-year, $92.5 million contract. That’s more than even the four-year, $80 million deal that Ryu Hyun-jin signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as a free agent.
U.S. media outlets initially pegged the deal at around $10 million per year.
ESPN estimated the deal at five years and $63 million, Major League Traders (MTR) estimated it at five years and $50 million, and The Athletic estimated it at four years and $56 million.
Japanese fourth baseman Masataka Yoshida (Boston Red Sox), who reached the major leagues a year before Lee, signed a five-year, $90 million contract. Yoshida showed better long ball power than Lee in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB), which is known to be a tougher league to hit in than the KBO 월카지노. The general consensus was that Lee would be cheaper than Yoshida.
However, as the Winter League progressed, the tide seemed to turn.
The Athletic wrote, “Lee was a low-ranked player in early free agent projections. This is because we haven’t seen him in person. However, the industry has made it clear that he is a top target for any team in need of a center fielder.
Aside from Cody Bellinger, Lee is the best center fielder on the free agent market right now.
Of course, power is still a question mark. According to The Athletic, “Major League scouts are split on Lee’s hit tool. Some think he’ll hit for power right away, while others think he’ll need a year or two to adjust.
The unquestioned strengths are his leadoff hit, defense, and baserunning ability. “His strengths are his ability to hit for power and his ability to draw walks,” says Diasletic. His defensive range is above average and his delivery is strong. His plate discipline is excellent.
The San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres are the favorites. “The Giants and Padres are the two teams most in need of a center fielder, and both have been linked to Lee recently,” The Athletic noted.