Next winter's crop of free agents just got stronger.
The Kiwoom Heroes will post Korean Baseball Organization superstar Jung-hoo Lee following the 2023 season, the team announced.
"After some internal discussions, we agreed to respect the player's intent to play in Major League Baseball," the Heroes said in a statement. "We will provide whatever support necessary for the player."
The 24-year-old Lee won the league's MVP after hitting .349/.421/.575 with 23 home runs, 36 doubles, and 113 RBIs in 2022.
"The team has been giving me so much support since I was a rookie, and I was able to start dreaming about playing overseas because the team has helped me grow as a player," Lee said. "First and foremost, I will concentrate on the upcoming season. I will put aside personal ambitions and try to help the team win the Korean Series."
Lee is considered the best pure hitter in the KBO, as evidenced by his .342/.407/.495 career slash line in six seasons. The left-handed hitter has never posted a batting average below .324 while accumulating 1,076 hits in 798 games.
The outfielder will join Shohei Ohtani, Rafael Devers, and Manny Machado - if he opts out of his contract - as free agents next offseason.
