KBO star Jung Hoo Lee has been one of many extra intriguing potential free brokers of the upcoming offseason ever since studies again in January indicated that he could be posted by his KBO membership, the Kiwoom Heroes. A wrench was thrown in that plan when he not too long ago required ankle surgical procedure, although Jon Morosi of MLB.com studies at this time that Lee continues to be anticipated to signal with a significant league membership this winter.

Lee, 24, already has a formidable résumé in his quick profession. He received Rookie of the 12 months within the KBO in 2017 by hitting .324/.395/.417 when he was simply 18 years previous for a lot of the season. He continued to take steps ahead within the years to return, particularly in 2022. He launched 23 residence runs and completed with a batting line of .349/.421/.575 for a wRC+ of 175. He struck out in 5.1% of his plate appearances whereas strolling in 10.5% of them. He stole 5 bases and received a fifth straight Gold Glove, with all of these attributes resulting in a Most Helpful Participant award.

This 12 months received’t be the right platform season for him, as he’s been a notch under that MVP type. His stroll charge went as much as 12.7% however he hit simply six residence runs, resulting in a .319/.407/.456 batting line. His 142 wRC+ signifies he’s nonetheless been effectively above league common however not fairly as outrageously as he was final 12 months. To high issues off, he’s now lacking the ultimate months of the season on account of his aforementioned ankle surgical procedure.

Maybe he or the Heroes would have given some second thought to his posting, possibly delaying it by a 12 months, although it appears the plan has but to be altered. Morosi relays that neither get together has given any indication that the trail ahead has modified.

Lee will turns 25 years previous later this month and can not be thought-about an “beginner” by MLB guidelines and received’t be topic to the bonus pool system. He’ll subsequently be free to signal a contract of any size or greenback quantity, with the signing membership additionally answerable for paying a posting charge to the Heroes. That’s tied to the scale of the contract itself, with the MLB staff owing the KBO membership 20 % of the contract’s first $25MM, 17.5 % of the subsequent $25MM and 15 % of any {dollars} thereafter. That charge is on high of any {dollars} assured to the participant himself, and subsequent incomes (e.g. efficiency incentives, contract choices) are additionally topic to the posting system as soon as they grow to be assured to the participant.

This winter’s free agent class is headlined by beginning pitchers, with only a few affect bats anticipated to be obtainable. Assuming Lee’s ankle heals up within the months to return and he’s posted as anticipated, he figures to nonetheless draw loads of curiosity.