FA Infielder Matt Chapman Plays with Lee Jung-hoo… 3-Years 72.1 Billion Won Agreement with SF
Lee Jeong-hoo, virtually confirmed to be No. 1 in free agent pure field value.
Lee Jeong-hoo (25), a starting outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of the Major League Baseball (MLB),
shares a meal with Matt Chapman (30), a top-class infielder in the league. 파워볼게임
Citing sources, MLB.com reported on the 2nd (Korean time) that Chapman (30),
who remained in the free agent (FA) market,
agreed to a three-year contract with San Francisco worth a total of $54 million (about 72.1 billion won).
Chapman is a third baseman with the league’s best defense and won the American League (AL) Gold Glove in 2018, 2019, 2021, and 2023.
Last season, he also played with Ryu Hyun-jin (Hanwha Eagles) at the Toronto Blue Jays.
Chapman’s batting accuracy is somewhat poor,
but he is a long hitter who hit double-digit home runs every season from 2017,
when he debuted in MLB, to last year.
With the addition of Chapman, San Francisco greatly improved its team strength.
In addition, Lee Jeong-hoo, who was designated as the number one hitter in the new season,
can expect a synergy effect with Chapman, who will play the role of a problem solver.
The contract size is lower than expected.
Chapman wanted a long-term contract worth more than $100 million,
but MLB clubs did not make offers that met his expectations.
Chapman was unable to find a team for his team until the start of his exhibition games,
and then decided to sign his contract right before the start of the regular season.
However, it is known that Chapman entered an opt-out clause (breaking the existing contract and signing a new free agent contract) in his contract.
MLB.com said, “Matt Chapman can apply for free agency again after completing the 2024 and 2025 seasons.”
He will be paid $20 million in salary for the 2024 season,
$18 million in the 2025 season and $16 million in the 2026 season if he does not exercise his opt-out.