Could the Jays be looking to add a corner outfielder in free agency?

As you may know, one of the few holes for the Blue Jays is in left field, as Daulton Varsho will replace the departed Kevin Kiermaier in centre field. Ideally, the Blue Jays will add a power bat to man left field, but let’s look at some options that have been linked to the Jays.
<h2>Jung Hoo Lee:</h2>
It was reported by Jason Lee that the Blue Jays have at least checked in on Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Said this a few days ago, but <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BlueJays</a> have at least checked in on Lee Jung-Hoo, whose agent is Scott Boras. They’ve improved their relationship with Boras and were the runner ups in the Ha-Seong Kim race a few years ago. <a href="https://t.co/G6PbIxBEYY">https://t.co/G6PbIxBEYY</a>
&mdash; Jason (Hanshin) Lee (@Jasons_JaysHub) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jasons_JaysHub/status/1732452691886911918?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
The 25-year-old has spent his entire career in the Korean Baseball Organization, and slashed .318/.406/.455 with six homers in 387 plate appearances in 2023. Lee is known for his impressive eye, as he had a higher BB% (12.7%) than K% (5.9%).
His best season was in 2022, when he slashed .349/.421/.575 with 23 homers in 627 plate appearances, where he had 66 walks to 32 strikeouts. For Lee&#8217;s career, the outfielder is slashing .340/.407/.491 with 65 homers in 3947 plate appearances in the KBO. Moreover, he has 383 walks to 304 strikeouts.
Lee suffered an ankle injury in August that didn’t allow him to finish the season, a farewell bat aside. The 25-year-old was posted on December 4, 2023, and could command the largest contract from the KBO in history.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Farewell Lee Jung-hoo <a href="https://t.co/VEvSVk9ng6">pic.twitter.com/VEvSVk9ng6</a>
&mdash; KBO (@KBOstuff) <a href="https://twitter.com/KBOstuff/status/1711774851500069266?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 10, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
It was reported by Jon Heyman on Wednesday afternoon that interest in the 25-year-old was already growing. One team that is interested in the San Diego Padres, who have all but traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Things are already percolating with Korean CF Jung Hoo Lee. Padres are a possible landing spot, especially if they complete Soto trade to Yankees as exoected. There are others.
&mdash; Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1732467477617979902?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&nbsp;
Although he isn’t a power bat, Lee’s ability to make contact and get on base will surely help the Jays, considering he’s also described by some as an above-average defender.
<h2>Michael A. Taylor:</h2>
Another option that has been linked to the Blue Jays is Michael A. Taylor. Most recently, Jon Morosi reported the Jays had interest on Wednesday afternoon.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Market for free agent CF Michael A. Taylor is beginning to take shape. 
Sources say the Reds, Red Sox and Blue Jays are among teams showing interest in the 2021 Gold Glove winner who’s coming off a career-best 21 HR.<a href="https://twitter.com/MLB?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLB</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MLBNetwork</a>
&mdash; Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) <a href="https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1732469874574729684?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 6, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The 32-year-old centre fielder spent the 2023 season with the Minnesota Twins and slashed .220/.278/.442 with a career-high 21 home runs in just 388 plate appearances. However, he had an incredibly high 33.5 K% while only walking 6.7% of the time. This gave him a 96 wRC+, the second highest mark of his career.
Defensively, he’s not as good as the departing Kevin Kiermaier, but he’s gets it done in the outfield. Last season, he only had 5 Defensive Runs Saved and 8 Outs Above Average, which is quite low for him. However, for the two seasons prior, he had 19 DRS in both, as well as 18 OAA in 2021 which saw him win his Gold Glove.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
TAYLOR MADE THAT BALL GO FAR!
468 FT! <a href="https://t.co/k64l9omsGO">pic.twitter.com/k64l9omsGO</a>
&mdash; Minnesota Twins (@Twins) <a href="https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1707918137075601860?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Also not to open old wounds, but it seemed like if the ball was hit in his vicinity during the Wild Card games, he’d catch it. Maybe that’s why the Blue Jays are interested.
Either way, the Jays will need to fill this hole either via signing a player or by trade, as they don’t have a ton of internal options.
<hr />
As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.
<hr />
<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" srcset="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png 727w, https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1-300x167.png 300w" sizes="(max-width: 727px) 100vw, 727px" />

Could the Jays be looking to add a corner outfielder in free agency?



As you may know, one of the few holes for the Blue Jays is in left field, as Daulton Varsho will replace the departed Kevin Kiermaier in centre field. Ideally, the Blue Jays will add a power bat to man left field, but let’s look at some options that have been linked to the Jays.
<h2>Jung Hoo Lee:</h2>
It was reported by Jason Lee that the Blue Jays have at least checked in on Korean outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.

https://twitter.com/Jasons_JaysHub/status/1732452691886911918

&nbsp;

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career in the Korean Baseball Organization, and slashed .318/.406/.455 with six homers in 387 plate appearances in 2023. Lee is known for his impressive eye, as he had a higher BB% (12.7%) than K% (5.9%).

His best season was in 2022, when he slashed .349/.421/.575 with 23 homers in 627 plate appearances, where he had 66 walks to 32 strikeouts. For Lee's career, the outfielder is slashing .340/.407/.491 with 65 homers in 3947 plate appearances in the KBO. Moreover, he has 383 walks to 304 strikeouts.

Lee suffered an ankle injury in August that didn’t allow him to finish the season, a farewell bat aside. The 25-year-old was posted on December 4, 2023, and could command the largest contract from the KBO in history.

https://twitter.com/KBOstuff/status/1711774851500069266

&nbsp;

It was reported by Jon Heyman on Wednesday afternoon that interest in the 25-year-old was already growing. One team that is interested in the San Diego Padres, who have all but traded Juan Soto to the New York Yankees.

https://twitter.com/jonheyman/status/1732467477617979902

&nbsp;

Although he isn’t a power bat, Lee’s ability to make contact and get on base will surely help the Jays, considering he’s also described by some as an above-average defender.
<h2>Michael A. Taylor:</h2>
Another option that has been linked to the Blue Jays is Michael A. Taylor. Most recently, Jon Morosi reported the Jays had interest on Wednesday afternoon.

https://twitter.com/jonmorosi/status/1732469874574729684

The 32-year-old centre fielder spent the 2023 season with the Minnesota Twins and slashed .220/.278/.442 with a career-high 21 home runs in just 388 plate appearances. However, he had an incredibly high 33.5 K% while only walking 6.7% of the time. This gave him a 96 wRC+, the second highest mark of his career.

Defensively, he’s not as good as the departing Kevin Kiermaier, but he’s gets it done in the outfield. Last season, he only had 5 Defensive Runs Saved and 8 Outs Above Average, which is quite low for him. However, for the two seasons prior, he had 19 DRS in both, as well as 18 OAA in 2021 which saw him win his Gold Glove.

https://twitter.com/Twins/status/1707918137075601860

Also not to open old wounds, but it seemed like if the ball was hit in his vicinity during the Wild Card games, he’d catch it. Maybe that’s why the Blue Jays are interested.

Either way, the Jays will need to fill this hole either via signing a player or by trade, as they don’t have a ton of internal options.

<hr />

As always, you can follow me on Twitter, Instagram, and Threads @Brennan_L_D.

<hr />

<h2 class="mb-5 text-2xl font-bold" style="text-align: center;"><a class="text-accent" href="https://gml-grp.com/C.ashx?btag=a_24038b_2065c_&amp;affid=7966&amp;siteid=24038&amp;adid=2065&amp;c=" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow">ARTICLE PRESENTED BY BETANO</a></h2>
<img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-61491" src="https://publish.bluejaysnation.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/8/2023/04/Betano_ON_Base_727x404-1.png" alt="" width="727" height="404" />

Blue Jays reportedly have interest in outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and Michael A. Taylor

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) celebrates after hitting a double in the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium

Recent articles from Ryley Delaney

Breaking News