Padres Rumors: Friars Predicted To Sign Top Korean Outfielder This Winter

The Padres are said to be very interested in him.

The San Diego Padres enter the offseason looking to improve their roster without spending too much money. They want to shed salary after an unfortunate season saw them miss the playoffs despite going all-in on their financials.

They have some interesting options, including one player coming from overseas. Two MLB experts over at MLB Trade Rumors are predicting that the Padres will sign the top Korean outfielder this winter. Writers Anthony Franco and Tim Dierkes both see Jung Hoo Lee landing in San Diego.

“Lee is a left-handed hitting outfielder from South Korea who turned 25 in August. He has played parts of seven seasons in the Korea Baseball Organization, generally starring for the Nexen/Kiwoom Heroes. Lee has hit above .300 with an on-base percentage near or better than .400 every season.”

Per MLB Trade Rumors

Lee is a very impressive player and is expected to be very sought after by teams. San Diego has been one of the more heavily linked squads to him, and rightfully so.

He would make an immediate impact in the Padres lineup, especially if they were to trade away Juan Soto this winter. Lee could help replace the production that the Padres would lose in a Soto deal, and the team could build with him.

San Diego is going to need a power-hitting lefty in the lineup, and Lee could be the best way to get one without completely breaking the bank. In 2022, he slashed 349/.421/.575 with 23 home runs, putting him on the map.

According to the MLB Trade Rumors experts, they are predicting Lee to receive a deal around five years, worth $50 million. This kind of move screams Padres president of baseball operations A.J. Preller, and it could be a way for the Friars to still field a very competitive team next season.

This is just one of many moves that the Padres can make this winter, and Lee is expected to be posted soon. San Diego has their work cut out for them this offseason, but they always find a way to pull a trick out from under their sleeve.