Tigers have every reason to target red-hot Giants outfielder at trade deadline

Even though this season has been a disappointment thus far, the Detroit Tigers are not that far out of contention. While some think the team’s biggest need before the trade deadline is to get healthy, they could certainly use some help in the outfield, which might come in the form of San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.

Lee has been red-hot as of late. Entering play on Friday, he was hitting .332/.365/.478 on the season with five home runs and 30 runs batted in. Not only that, but he’s made some really impressive plays in right field lately. He’s doing everything well right now.

This has been the season Lee has put everything together after the Giants signed him to a six-year, $113 million deal prior to the 2024 season. His rookie year was cut short due to injury, so 2025 served as his first full season in the big leagues. It was decent but nothing to write home about. He’s now turned into exactly what the Giants had hoped for when they signed him to that big deal.

The Tigers could certainly use someone like Lee in the lineup right now. Kevin McGonigle has already proven he’s one of the premier contact bats in the big leagues, so Detroit would be wise to double down on that by adding Lee into the mix.

The former KBO star has only struck out 27 times this season and his batting average is in the top five of all qualified MLB hitters. He’s the perfect stabilizer to bring some more consistency to a lineup that can run hot and cold.

Tigers have to make a strong offer to pry Lee from Giants

The question is whether San Francisco would be open to dealing Lee. The Giants have had a terrible season and president of baseball operations Buster Posey recently suggested pretty much everything is on the table ahead of the trade deadline except for trading away ace Logan Webb.

If the Tigers blew the Giants away with an offer for Lee they’d probably be able to get him even though he has endeared himself to fans in San Francisco and could be a piece the Giants build around even if they sell off some of their expensive veterans.

Lee has a player option in his contract after the 2027 season so there’s a chance the Tigers would only get him for a little over a year if he decided to test free agency. He wouldn’t be a complete rental, though, and could still be a key contributor in 2027 no matter what happens in 2026.

San Francisco doesn’t seem eager to just give Lee away, though. The Tigers will have to make a strong offer if they want to boost their outfield and add another elite contact bat to the lineup.

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