Jung Hoo Lee's surge could assist with SF Giants' exit plan at trade deadline

The SF Giants have not had a ton to be excited about amidst one of the worst starts to a season in franchise history, but Jung Hoo Lee’s recent resurgence is definitely something to take note of.

He had a huge series over the weekend against the Colorado Rockies as he went 11-for-15 in those three games. It’s Coors Field, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive.

Lee is now hitting .304/.341/.433 with three homers and 19 runs batted in. He is coming back strong from his IL stint and in the process he is increasing his trade value if the Giants choose to move on from him at the trade deadline.

With San Francisco currently 13 games under .500, it really feels like there are no untouchables in trade talks. When things go this badly the word "rebuild" gets bandied about with reckless abandon and sometimes it feels rash, but if the Giants do not show genuine improvement and get closer to .500 over the next two months then there could be some big changes.

Jung Hoo Lee could potentially be Giants' best trade chip

Lee could be an enticing trade chip for other teams in need of a corner outfielder. He’s proven that he is a solid contact bat and a team that needs more contact in the order could be willing to go after him if it likes his profile.

Lee signed a six-year, $113 million contract with the Giants ahead of the 2024 season. He is already in year three of that deal and he has an opt-out after year four so if he was traded that team would at least have him for 2027.

That could allow the Giants to get a decent haul in return for him. He could definitely be a shinier trade chip than players like Luis Arraez or Robbie Ray who are free agents after this season and would essentially be rentals.

The question is whether the Giants are ready to move on from Lee. He’s shown promise at times with the Giants and has looked like the guy they thought they were getting at the plate when they signed him straight from the KBO.

Yet, he has not been that speedy, everyday center fielder who you can count on to be a reliable leadoff hitter. He rarely serves as the team’s leadoff hitter now and the Giants moved him off center field this season.

His defense has been a disappointment as he still grades out as below average in the outfield. Plus, for a guy with the nickname “Grandson of the Wind” it’s hard to understand how he has no stolen base attempts this season. He only stole 12 in his first two seasons with the Giants.

He is a fan favorite though and you can bet the Hoo-Lee-Gans will not be thrilled to see their guy get traded. But if the Giants get a good offer for him they may decide to sell high on him especially if they want to give a longer look to young outfielders like Jonah Cox and Victor Bericoto.

It would be sad to see him go, but his trade value rises the hotter he gets so he might just play his way out of a Giants uniform if the team continues to struggle.

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