Lee Dae-ho returns to Lotte Giants

Hwang Jae-gyun signs with SF Giants

By Baek Byung-yeul

Former Seattle Mariners first baseman Lee Dae-ho, 34, will return to his old club Lotte Giants after six years following the signing of a four year, 15 billion won ($12.9 million) contract, the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) team announced Tuesday.

The 15 billion won contract is the highest ever in the KBO history, edging out Kia Tigers outfielder Choi Hyung-woo, who signed a four year, 10 billion deal in November.

“I worked hard in the United States for my dream (to play in the major league) and I achieved it. Now, my last dream is to win the KBO title with my Lotte Giants colleagues,” Lee said. “I would like to express my gratitude to my fans for supporting me, even when I was playing overseas. Also, I am thankful to the team for recognizing my value.”

The slugger made his professional baseball debut with the Busan-based Giants in 2001 and played 11 seasons. He recorded a batting average of .309 with 225 home runs and 809 RBIs. He had his breakthrough season in 2006 when he claimed the Triple Crown, hitting .336 with 26 home runs and 88 RBIs.

Lee then spent two seasons with the Osaka-based Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) in 2012 and 2013 and another two seasons with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks. In his last season in Japan, Lee became the first Korean to win the Japan Series MVP honor, helping the Hawks win the Japan Series for the second consecutive season.

Last year, Lee decided to pursue his old dream of playing in the world’s top baseball league and took on a new challenge, signing a minor league deal with the Mariners. Lee failed to deliver a consistent performance there, batting .253 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs, but he inspired baseball fans for taking on the challenge.

The Giants said Lee will have his official joining ceremony at Lotte Hotel World, southern Seoul, Monday.

3B Hwang to join SF Giants

While Lotte acquired Lee, the team lost its key third baseman Hwang Jae-gyun, who signed with the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB) the same day.

Hwang’s agency GSI said he has agreed to a one-year split contract with an invitation to spring training. He will earn $1.5 million if he makes the MLB roster. He can also earn up to $1.6 million in incentives.

Spending 10 seasons in the KBO league, the 29-year-old batted .286 with 1,191 hits including 115 home runs, 594 RBIs, 605 runs and 173 stolen bases. He had his breakthrough last year, batting .335 with 167 hits including 27 home runs, 113 RBIs, 97 runs and 25 stolen bases. He was valued at 5.55 wins above replacement (WAR).