The 26-year-old San Francisco Giants recruited Lee Jung-hoo, a Korean-made genius hitter, by investing a large amount of money, but their eyes are still cold. The San Francisco Giants received a C grade in the “off-season interim evaluation.” CBS Sports of the U.S. had an interim review of the off-season of the 30 Major League teams on Tuesday (Korea time).
After signing a six-year, $113 million contract with Lee, San Francisco only got Grade C. This is in stark contrast to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the rival team of the National League West, who acquired Shohei Ohtani (30) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (26), Japan’s top ace. “San Francisco continues to make efforts to recruit the best FA players,” CBS Sports said on the day. “All San Francisco has left is Korean outfielder Lee Jung-hoo and catcher Tom Murphy.”
San Francisco Giants is entering the offseason with more enthusiasm than ever. However, recruitment of superstar players has been slow. Prior to this offseason, the company made big bets on big-time FA players such as Aaron Judge and Carlos Correa, but all of them failed. Judge signed a nine-year, 360 million-dollar FA contract with the New York Yankees and opted to stay, while Correa agreed with San Francisco for 350 million dollars for 13 years, but failed to pass medical tests. 바카라
San Francisco Giants never gave up and participated in the recruitment fight this time, but was pushed back by the Dodgers. The Dodgers made San Francisco frustrated again by investing a whopping 700 million U.S. dollars over 10 years to Ohtani. Of course, there is no giving up. San Francisco is considered a candidate to recruit big-name FA players such as Blake Snell, Matt Chapman, and Cody Bellinger, who still remain in the FA market. Snell is the biggest starter who won the National League Cy Young Award last year, and Chapman is the biggest third baseman with gold glove defense and punch power. Bellinger is a former MVP who revived last year with 20 home runs and a batting average of .300.
From San Francisco’s point of view, there must be additional achievements. San Francisco succeeded in recruiting Lee Jung-hoo, who conquered the KBO league, but it is still far from strong enough to challenge for president. With veteran coach Bob Melvin in charge, it is time to focus on tangible results. CBS Sports also stressed that San Francisco needs to finish this winter strongly in order to be accepted as a wild card competitor in 2024.
Unlike San Francisco, the Dodgers got grade A. With the addition of Ohtani and Yamamoto, the Dodgers seems to have already won the World Series. Having invested 700 million U.S. dollars in mammoth investments, the Dodgers signed a 12-year, 325 million-dollar contract with Yamamoto and did not hesitate to open its wallet. CBS Sports explained why it gave the Dodgers grade A, saying that signing two of the best FA players in the offseason can qualify for grade A. In addition, the Dodgers has strengthened its power by making a trade deal with the Tampa Bay Rays and even hiring Tyler Glasnow, a 10-win pitcher. He is the strongest candidate this year.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, who caused a stir in advancing to the World Series last year, were also able to achieve an A-grade by steadily strengthening their power. “National League champion Arizona worked quickly to address their biggest weaknesses,” CBS Sports said. “Left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez, a reliable above-average starter, will be behind Jack Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Eugenio Suarez is a batter with a lot of strikeouts, but he should be able to address the weakness of Arizona, which has one of the weakest third baseman in the big leagues. The presence of Ruudes Gurriel Jr. should not be overlooked.” Arizona’s substantial power reinforcement.
Unlike them, the San Diego Padres and Colorado Rockies had to be satisfied with the D grade. In particular, as the San Diego Padres entered a tight fiscal mode, they traded “superstar” Juan Soto to the New York Yankees, which inevitably resulted in loss of power. Rumors of a trade with Kim Ha-sung, who can advance to the FA market after the end of this season, continue.
With the Dodgers’ massive investment and Arizona’s substantial reinforcement of its power, San Francisco is under increased pressure. Will San Francisco be able to recruit another “storm” following Lee Jung-hoo? It remains to be seen whether the team will be able to win the hearts of other big-time players who still remain in the FA market just as San Francisco made a bold bet against Lee. Of course, this is something that affects Lee as well. If San Francisco successfully reinforces its capabilities by recruiting big-time players and mobilizes its strong capacity, Lee will be able to adapt to the Major League stage smoothly and ease the burden.
Lee Jung-hoo is determined to perform well this season, apart from the club’s additional reinforcement of its power. Lee’s message on his SNS account on the last day of 2023 can also read his will. “I was able to have a happy year thanks to the fans’ so much support and love,” Lee said. “In 2024, I will try my best to start a new chapter and challenge of baseball. I will do my best for the historic and wonderful San Francisco club, and I will play with the love and heart of my fans. I ask for your support in 2024 as well.”
Lee Jung-hoo has been playing for the Kiwoom Heroes since 2017 when he made his first professional debut. He also thanked the Heroes’ family members. “I really appreciate the Heroes’ fans, my fellow players, the coaching staff, and the employees of the club for supporting me and trusting me for the past seven years. I will not forget it,” Lee pledged. Already, Lee’s eyes are on the new season. As much as Lee’s strong will, attention is focusing on whether San Francisco will be able to successfully complete its aggressive reinforcement.
