Jung Hoo Lee is more sad than anybody that the San Francisco Giants dealt outfielder Mike Yastrzemski was dealt right at the MLB Trade Deadline to the Kansas City Royals.
Speaking to Giants insider Maria Guardado of MLB.com for an article released on Monday August 6, 2025, Lee shared his reaction to his good friend’s departure.
“I heard the news right before I was going to dinner,” Lee told Guardado. “I’m not going to lie, I did break down a little bit because Yaz was a really good friend. We texted each other a lot. I sent over a lot of long text messages. I hope for the best for Yaz from now on.”
Jung Hoo Lee was sad to say goodbye to fellow outfielder Mike Yastrzemski 😢
Yastrzemski reportedly learned some Korean to help Lee adjust to the United States after he left the KBO to sign with the Giants in 2024. That helped the two fan-favorite outfielders develop a close friendship.
Giants fans were sad to see Yaz go, but seeing Yaz in a Royals uniform is especially tough for Lee.
Lee on A Hot Streak
Jung Hoo Lee may be mourning the departure of a close friend off the field, but that hasn’t affected his on field performance one bit.
Instead, Lee has actually been on fire since Yastrzemski left.
In 6 games since the July 31, 2025 MLB trade deadline, the day Yastrzemski was traded, Lee is hitting .417 with 10 hits. 6 of those have gone for extra bases (5 doubles and 1 triple). He also has 3 RBI and 6 runs scored.
His fantastic play as of late was highlighted by a four-hit day versus the New York Mets on Sunday August 3, 2025. Lee scored 2 runs to help the Giants to a big 12-4 win over the Mets.
Lee’s hot streak has been a big factor in the Giants’ resurgence since the trade deadline. San Francisco is 4-2 in the month of August with series wins against the Mets and Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Giants hope he can keep it up ahead of a crucial homestand with their playoff hopes hanging in the balance.
How Has Yastrzemski Fared in Kansas City?
Mike Yastrzemski isn’t doing quite as well as Jung Hoo Lee since his big move to Kansas City, but he has had a good offensive start to his Royals career.
In his first 6 games with the Royals, Yastrzemski is hitting .313 with 1 home run, 3 RBI and 3 runs scored.
He also had a highlight-reel catch against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday August 6, 2025.
In his first big league stint with any other team than the Giants, Yastrzemski is making an immediate impression on the Royals coaching staff and fanbase.
He and the Royals sit 4 games back of the third and final AL Wild Card spot, while the Giants are 5 games back of the last NL Wild Card.
Lee and Yastrzemski may be playing in home stadiums over 1,800 miles away from each other, but at least they are both thriving early in this chapter of their baseball careers.
What was your reaction to the Mike Yastrzemski trade, Giants fans? Did you break down like Jung Hoo Lee?
Jung Hoo Lee “Broke Down” Over San Francisco Giants Trade