Lee Jung-hoo just made his exit known.

The San Francisco Giants’ Lee Jung-hoo center fielder recently announced his exit owing to

The San Francisco Giants prioritized developing athleticism, defense, and playmaking abilities when they started their offseason preparations to improve on a dismal 2023 year.

All those parts were played by South Korean celebrity Jung Hoo Lee.

At a press conference on Friday to introduce Lee to the Bay Area, Giants President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi stated, “We think this is an absolutely ideal fit.”

“As we discussed going into the winter, our objectives were to become a more athletic team offensively, to make more contact, and to play the type of baseball that the industry appears to be favoring,” Zaidi stated. “To be honest, when we reviewed our alternatives this summer, Jung Hoo was the only player or target that was a better fit for our goals than any other.”

The Giants thoroughly monitored Lee’s play in the Korean league, and his performance in the World Baseball Classic last spring only served to highlight his already impressive baseball skills. Lee was awarded a six-year, $113 million contract for that.

During his press conference, Lee also displayed a little bit of his personality. He began by yelling “Let’s Go Giants” emphatically during his English opening statement, and he dubbed himself “Grandson of the Wind” in honor of his father, Jong Beom Lee, who was dubbed “Son of the Wind” for his lightning-fast reflexes, which the younger Lee claimed he wouldn’t be able to match.

Zaidi declared, “It’s an exciting day.” “Clearly, even with a translator, his personality comes through loud and clear. I believe it’s a perfect fit for baseball, but we also want to generate buzz and enthusiasm for the organization. That is absolutely apparent today.”

Despite winning a franchise-high 107 games and the NL West in 2021, San Francisco has failed to qualify for the postseason in either of the previous two seasons.

Shohei Ohtani’s decision to sign with the rival Los Angeles Dodgers last week was one of the big-ticket free agents that the Giants had missed out on during the previous two offseasons.

Additionally, they were unsuccessful in their pursuit of slugger Aaron Judge by the New York Yankees during the offseason, and they later chose not to complete a $350 million, 13-year contract with shortstop Carlos Correa due to physical issues stemming from a 2014 right leg surgery.

The Giants would owe the Kiwoom Heroes of South Korea a posting fee of $18,825,000 if Lee, 25, stayed with the team for the duration of his contract. Lee was posted by the Heroes on December 4. After four years, if he decides to opt out, the posting charge will drop to $12,675,000. In addition, San Francisco would be responsible for an extra 15% of any accrued bonuses or escalators.

General manager Pete Putila came to Korea for a single, fleeting visit in October, demonstrating San Francisco’s unwavering devotion to Lee.

According to Lee’s agent, Scott Boras, “it’s really wonderful to tell a player an organization’s interest level is where they will fly 30,000 miles to witness really one at-bat.”

After breaking his left ankle in a game against the Lotte Giants on July 22, Lee, who batted.318 with six home runs and 48 RBIs in 86 games this season, was out for the rest of the season.

Lee declared that he has fully recovered from his injuries and is eager to take on the challenge of competing at a higher level in the major leagues. He is expected to start in center field for the squad on Opening Day, though, and he is optimistic that he can adjust.

Through an interpreter, he remarked, “I’m a little embarrassed to say this, but the fans will be impressed with the skill set from Opening Day on.”

In 142 games, he hit.349 last year, including a career-high 23 home runs and 113 RBIs, while striking out just 32 times. In 2017, he was selected Rookie of the Year, and in 2022, he was named MVP.

In the WBC this year, Lee also batted.429 for South Korea, a team that was eliminated from its first-round group despite having two doubles and five RBIs.

“His performance in international play is nearly as significant as his entire tenure in the KBO,” Zaidi remarked.

In the 2021 Olympics, when South Korea fell to the United States in the semifinals and subsequently to the Dominican Republic for the bronze medal, he batted.241 with three doubles, one home run, and three RBIs.

With 65 home runs and 515 RBIs in his career, Lee has a.340 career average for the Heroes, who changed their name from Nexen to Kiwoon before the 2019 season. He has won the Golden Gloves six times.

In addition to becoming the 1994 Korean League MVP, his father, Jong Beom, played from 1998 to 2001 with the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League in Japan.