The S.F. Giants yesterday made their "first big splash of the offseason" signing Korean star outfielder Jung Hoo Lee, the “first nine-figure contract” President of Baseball Operations Farhan Zaidi is consummating in his five-year tenure, according to John Shea of the S.F. CHRONICLE. Lee reportedly agreed to a six-year, $113M contract and can “opt out after four years.” Shea noted if Lee is with the Giants all six years, the team "would owe a posting fee of roughly” $19M to Lee's former team, KBO League club Kiwoom Heroes. Zaidi previously “made megaoffers” to Phillies RF Bryce Harper, Yankees OF Aaron Judge and Twins SS Carlos Correa and revealed yesterday that the team "would have agreed to give Shohei Ohtani a similar contract to the one he received from the Dodgers,” 10 years and $700M, with “similar deferrals” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/12).
IN CASE OF NO OHTANI: In S.F., Ann Killion wrote the Giants agreeing on a deal with Lee is the “beginning of the Giants’ Plan B.” Killion asked will the Giants be able to “do enough to ensure there are more than six sellouts next season at Oracle Park?” The dates that Ohtani and his traveling band of All-Star Dodgers will be in town will “likely be the most sought-after home games on the calendar.” Killion noted in recent years, the Giants “did a dreadful job of getting into position to be attractive to Ohtani.” Once right in the competitive mix with a top five payroll, they have "allowed their payroll to drop to 14th.” Under Zaidi, they have been “playing moneyball without it being cute, gritty or bookworthy," though, that “may be changing.” Killion wrote Zaidi's comments yesterday afternoon indicated the Giants have “rethought their approach,” and they may have "finally come to the realization that they are going to have to pay extreme prices to be competitive in the NL West.” The reported signing of Lee “is a start,” but there is “still a lot of faith that needs to be restored with Giants fans.” Investors in the entertainment industry -- which is “what baseball is -- should not be in it to break even.” Killion: "They should be in it for big ideas, for risks and gambles, for wooing the customer, for seeing the big picture. Entertainment is not about breaking even. And the Giants have not been entertaining” (S.F. CHRONICLE, 12/12).
