South Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and the San Francisco Giants have agreed to a $113 million, six-year contract, according to an AP source.
Lee, a South Korean MVP and the son of a former MVP, can terminate the deal after four years and $72 million to become a free agent again.
The 25-year-old Lee was posted by South Korea's Kiwoom Heroes on Dec. 4, and if he stays for the entire contract, the Giants would owe the Heroes an $18,825,000 posting fee. If he opts out, the posting fee would be reduced to $12,675,000. San Francisco also would owe an additional fee of 15% for any earned bonuses or escalators.
Lee hit .318 with six homers and 48 RBIs in 86 games this year, a season cut short when he broke his left ankle during a game against the Lotte Giants on July 22. Lee batted .349 in 2022, when he set career bests of 23 homers and 113 RBIs in 142 games.
Lee聽hit .429 with two doubles and five RBIs for South Korea in this year鈥檚 World Baseball Classic, where South Korea failed to advance from its first-round group. He batted .241 with three doubles, one homer and three RBIs in the 2021 Olympics, where South Korea lost to the United States in the semifinals and to the Dominican Republic for the bronze medal.
Soto deflects
In his first public comments since the New York Yankees acquired him from San Diego, three-time All-Star Juan Soto deflected questions about a possible long-term deal with the Yankees. The 25-year-old outfielder said the team could deal with his agent, Scott Boras.
Soto spoke six days after he was acquired by the Yankees from San Diego along with Gold Glove center fielder Trent Grisham for right-handed pitchers Michael King, Jhony Brito, Randy V谩squez and Drew Thorpe plus catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Soto hit .275 with 35 homers, 109 RBIs and a .930 OPS in his only full season with the Padres.聽He has four homers in six career games and 23 at-bats in Yankee Stadium.
BRIEFLY
ROYALS: According to AP sources, right-handers Seth Lugo and Chris Stratton agreed to deals with the Royals. Lugo will make $45 million over three seasons and can opt out after the 2025 season, while Stratton will make $3.5 million this season with a $4.5 million player option for 2025. Lugo is coming off a strong season with the Padres, where he proved he could be a regular start, while Stratton helps solidify what was one of the worst bullpens in baseball last season.
METS: Infield prospect Ronny Mauricio tore the ACL in his right knee during a Dominican Winter League game and will need surgery. The injury will sideline him for a significant part of the 2024 season. The 22-year-old, who made his major league debut on Sept. 1, hit .248 with two homers, nine RBIs and seven steals for the Mets in September.
NATIONALS:聽Washington finalized a $2.25 million, one-year contract with reliever Dylan Floro and a $2 million, one-year deal with infielder/outfielder Nick Senzel. The right-handed Floro was 5-6 with a 4.76 ERA and seven saves for Miami and Minnesota last season. Senzel hit .236 with 13 homers and 42 RBIs for Cincinnati.
TIGERS:聽Detroit finalized left-hander Andrew Chafin鈥檚 $4.75 million, one-year contract. Chafin gets $4.25 million next year, and the deal includes a $6.5 million team option for 2025 with a $500,000 buyout. Chafin was 2-3 with a 2.83 ERA聽 in 2022, striking out 67 and walking 19 in 57 1/3 innings.
BREWERS: Milwaukee finalized Joe Ross' $1.75 million, one-year contract. The right-hander hasn't pitched since August 2021 after having Tommy John surgery. He is 26-28 with a 4.26 ERA in 76 career starts and 22 relief appearances, striking out 403 and walking 141 in 443 1/3 innings.
PIRATES:聽Pittsburgh agreed to a $3.2 million, one-year contract with first baseman/designated hitter Rowdy Tellez. The 28-year-old hit .215 with 13 home runs and 47 RBI for Milwaukee last season. The left-handed Tellez is a career .233 hitter in six seasons with Toronto and Milwaukee.
GUARDIANS: Cleveland added depth to its starting rotation, agreeing to a $750,000 one-year contract with right-hander Ben Lively. The 31-year-old split last season between Cincinnati and Triple-A Louisville. In 12 starts for the Reds, he went 4-7 with a 5.38 ERA.