Korean Superstar Reportedly Entering MLB Free Agency, Red Sox Would Be Strong Fit
The Boston Red Sox have proven to be fringe contenders this season and would be a force to be reckoned with should they add a few notable pieces ahead of the 2024 season.
While the bulk of the upgrades should be centered around the pitching staff, the offense is in need of a boost as well, especially with outfielder Adam Duvall set to depart and Alex Verdugo's future with the Red Sox in jeopardy.
Fortunately, Red Sox chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom will enter the offseason with a reset luxury tax and absolutely no excuse not to spend. The top international trade target for Boston should and likely will be Japanese ace Yoshinobu Yamamoto but it would make sense to take a peek at a rising superstar shining in Korea.
"Korean baseball star Jung Hoo Lee is still expected to sign with a Major League Baseball club this winter, despite a fractured left ankle that could end his season with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO League," MLB.com's Jon Morosi wrote Thursday.
The soon-to-be 25-year-old is hitting .319 with 31 extra-base hits including six home runs, 45 RBIs and a .863 OPS in 85 games this season.
Last season Lee hit .349 with 69 extra-base hits including 23 home runs, 113 RBIs and a .996 OPS in 142 games on his way to winning the KBO MVP in his age-23 season.
Lee is represented by Scott Boras -- and while that typically is bad news for front offices, Bloom had luck with the legendary agent pursuing an international star last offseason. The two sides quickly reached an agreement for outfielder Masataka Yoshida.
Like Yoshida, Lee is known for his incredible bat-to-ball skills and plate vision. The 6-foot, 190-pound slugger has a 383-to-304 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his 883 career games in the KBO alongside a .340 batting average. Lee has posted five seasons in a row with more walks than strikeouts and two seasons in a row with over twice as many walks as strikeouts -- 66:32 and 49:23.
Lee reportedly has average speed and strong defensive abilities including a plus arm and very good jumps/reads in the outfield.
The Red Sox have Jarren Duran, Yoshida, Verdugo and Refsynder under contract for 2024 but Verdugo reportedly was involved in trade discussions ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and has been reprimanded numerous times in the last few seasons, making him a logical trade candidate. Verdugo also only has one season left of team control and Boston reportedly has yet to start extension negotiations, so his time might be numbered.
If that is the case, or Yoshida becomes the primary designated hitter next season -- Justin Turner has a player option for 2024 but could walk -- Lee would be a strong addition to the club.
More MLB: Red Sox Slugger Playing Through Notable Injury For Potential Playoff Run
