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SF Giants Player Review 2026: Jung Hoo Lee was a mixed bag yet again

He is streaky.
ByNick San Miguel
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San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) in the dugout before the game against the Houston Astros at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images
San Francisco, California, USA; San Francisco Giants right fielder Jung Hoo Lee (51) in the dugout before the game against the Houston Astros at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob Kupbens-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

While SF Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee may be one of the most popular players on the team, he may also be one of the most overpaid. He was given a six-year, $113 million contract prior to the 2024 season with the thought that he would be a popular everyday center fielder who would give the team an obvious leadoff man of the future.

Well, he’s only accomplished one of those goals through three seasons. He’s very popular and is without question a charismatic and likable player, but he can probably only be characterized as a slightly above-average player based on what he’s done on the field.

Through his first three seasons, the first of which ended in late May after a shoulder dislocation, he has hit .270/.322/.397 with 20 home runs, 120 runs batted in, and 24 stolen bases.

Many fans were probably hoping for a batting average closer to .300 and a stolen base total closer to 50 when that signing was announced. Not only that, but he has never stuck as the team’s leadoff hitter and usually hits lower in the order and was moved off center field after 2025 since it’s clear there was plenty of room for improvement there defensively.

In 2026 he hit .276/.320/.404 with 10 homers, 57 driven in, and 12 stolen bases. He was the hottest hitter on the team when he came off the IL in June and even had an 18-game hitting streak going at one point. He looked like the guy the Giants thought they were getting but after than hot streak he came back down to earth sharply, hitting .236/.298/.365 in the second half compared to .302/.333/.429 in the first half.

Giants would have a tough time traading Jung Hoo Lee if they wanted to

His contract situation is complicated, too. He is owed $23.25 million in 2027 which makes him hard to trade no matter what and the fact that he is such a popular figure amongst many fans makes that even harder.

If he chooses to opt in to the final two years of his deal after 2027, which seems likely unless he has a career year, then the Giants, or whatever team he’s on, will owe him $20.5 million in both 2028 and 2029.

There’s no simple solution with him which is why I expect him to be back with San Francisco, and hopefully he can be less of his second half self and more of his May-June self. 

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