‘Soto is leaving, Lee Jeong-hoo is coming’
The San Diego Padres traded outfielder Juan Soto on August 2, 2022, sending him to the New York Yankees 15 months after successfully advancing to the postseason in one season. The reinforcement of the team's power is significant as they receive four pitchers and Gerrit Cole's special catcher, Kyle Higashioka.
The Padres need a player to fill this position immediately after releasing left-handed hitting outfielders Soto and Trent Grisham. This is the reason why free agent Lee Jeong-hoo's move to San Diego, as mentioned in the post, has risen rapidly.
When the Soto trade was confirmed on the 7th (Korean time), New York Post columnist and MLB Network panel reporter Jon Heyman posted on social media, “San Diego traded Soto, increasing the possibility of recruiting Lee Jung-hoo.”
On MLB Network's Hot Stove program on the 8th, reporter John Morosi also analyzed, "San Diego has increased the possibility of signing Lee Jung-hoo by trading Soto."
There is a growing possibility that infielder Kim Ha-seong and outfielder Lee Jeong-hoo, both former Kiwoom players, will work together in San Diego.
On the 6th, MLB.COM's SF Giants reporter Maria Guardado reported on the possibility of the Giants' center fielder through coverage of GM Pete Fertilla, who visited Gocheok Dome in person and watched Lee Jeong-hoo.
It's the same National League Western division, but the terrain has changed in one day. The Giants did not have a permanent center fielder in the 2023 season. 21-year-old Luis Matos was the team's most-played center fielder with 76 games. He had a batting average of .250-2 with home runs and -14 RBI. The Giants are also in desperate need of recruiting a center fielder.
But the Padres, who are missing two left-handed outfielders, are now in more urgency. Left fielder Soto (25) has played in all 162 games. Grisham, 27, hit .198, less than .200, but he played in 153 games. His defense is so outstanding that Grisham won the Gold Glove twice. He has issues with his ability to make contact. The batting average is in the 100% range for the 2022 and 2023 seasons.
It is true that the Padres chances have greatly increased, but the key now is the price. Soto is a superstar, with an annual salary of $23 million in 2023. Salaries in 2024, the last year subject to adjustment applications, are expected to rise significantly. Grisham is in his 5th year (4 years full-time), but his price is very cheap. The 2023 annual salary is only $3.175 million. 메이저 토토사이트
Scott Boras, Lee Jung-hoo's agent, has not yet announced his free agent contract during the winter meeting. The biggest influence is Shohei Otani. Among Boras' customers this year, the biggest ones are outfielder Cody Bellinger, Cy Young Award pitcher Brake Snell, designated hitter JD Martinez, and Lee Jung-hoo.
Boras, who is good at influencing public opinion, has leaked that more than 10 clubs are interested in Lee Jung-hoo. Time will tell when Lee Jung-hoo's contract will be concluded.