Lee Jung-hoo (25, Kiwoom Heroes), who announced that he would advance to the Major League (MLB) after the end of the 2023 season, joined hands with ‘super agent’ Scott Boras.
On the 25th (Korean time), Boras Corporation announced the news of Lee Jung-hoo’s recruitment through SNS.
Lee Jung-hoo, along with his father, Lee Jong-beom, LG Twins coach, and his mother, Jung Yeon-hee, were with Boras CEO at the office of Boras Corporation located in Los Angeles, California, USA.
Prior to this, columnist John Heyman of the New York Post reported on his social media that “KBO league MVP Lee Jung-hoo has appointed Boras as his agent.”
Boras is a big agent representing MLB.
With his excellent negotiating skills, he is sometimes called the ‘evil agent’ by the club for giving large contracts to his players.
He also has a deep relationship with Korean players, and former and current major leaguers such as Ryu Hyun-jin (Toronto Blue Jays), Choo Shin-soo (SSG Landers), and Park Chan-ho (retired) sat on a cushion of money under Boras’ negotiating skills.
In this Stove League, Boras paid for his name by making a big deal with free agent (FA) shortstop Xander Bogarts and the San Diego Padres totaling $280 million over 11 years.
Recently, he drew attention by leading “prospect” Shim Jun-seok (19, Deoksu High School) to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
It is very suggestive that Boras, who has such a high success rate of large contracts, joined hands with Lee Jung-hoo.
Lee Jung-hoo won 5 batting crowns (batting average, hits, RBIs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage) last season, and reigned as the best hitter in the KBO League by sweeping the regular season MVP and Golden Glove (outfielder category).
After the season ended, 토토사이트 Lee Jung-hoo, who had the best year, conveyed his intention to challenge the MLB through the posting system after the 2023 season to his team Kiwoom, and Kiwoom allowed Lee Jung-hoo to challenge after consideration.
Although he is a player who will leave after a year, Kiwoom drew attention by setting 1.1 billion won as an annual salary for the 2023 season in recognition of Lee Jeong-hoo’s contributions last season. Lee Jung-hoo is the first to exceed 1 billion won in a single-year contract, excluding special cases such as free agency contracts and overseas return contracts. Also, 1.1 billion won is the highest annual salary record for 7 years.
If Lee Jung-hoo achieves similar or better results in the new season than last year, he can gain an advantage in negotiations to enter the MLB. With the addition of Boras’ negotiating ability, the probability of winning a large contract increases.
Lee Jung-hoo, who is well aware of this, went to the United States early and is training with Kim Ha-seong (San Diego), a senior in the MLB.
The World Baseball Classic (WBC), which will be held in March, is expected to be a showcase where Lee Jung-hoo can show off his skills to the MLB club.