Jung Hoo Lee's role on the Giants for 2024 and beyond is becoming evident.
Last week, Giants fans were introduced to Lee, who signed a six-year, $113 million contract with San Francisco. President of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi stated that Lee will be the starting center fielder next season.
Lee will start in the middle in the outfield on Opening Day, and Giants manager Bob Melvin told The Athletic's Tim Kawakami on "The TK Show" that he expects him to bat leadoff.
As of now, I don't see why not," Melvin told Kawakami. Since we got him, all my lineups have him leading off since that's what he's comfortable with and has done previously. My current thoughts are definite."
Although Melvin missed Lee's news conference, he spoke with his new outfielder earlier and is thrilled about his fit with the Giants.
Facetimed with him right before the press conference, that's been the one day -- I've been in the Bay Area the past month -- and I couldn't make it that day, I just felt terrible about that," Melvin said
Facetimed him first. Very charismatic, enjoys being a Giant, and it connects with me and our guys. He wanted to be here and with this squad.
"Looks excellent in black and orange; pleased to have him on the squad. We mentioned early in the offseason that Farhan [Zaidi] intended to sign him. It's a wonderful offseason start since it checks several criteria." Giants fans liked Lee's demeanor, and he'll soon become a favorite.