Phillies linked to $113 million Giants outfielder who has 50% trade odds

There might not be a more obvious need for any team at the 2026 MLB trade deadline than the Philadelphia Phillies' need for an outfielder.

Ideally, that outfielder is a right-handed hitter, but Dave Dombrowski might have to avoid being picky, and instead settle for a good left-handed hitter who can hit lefty pitching.

Recently, the Phillies were named as one of the "best fits" for a lefty-hitting outfielder from the San Francisco Giants, $113 million center fielder Jung Hoo Lee, who, according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel and Jeff Passan, has a 50% chance of being dealt.

Phillies linked to trade for Giants' Jung Hoo Lee

"7. Jung Hoo Lee, OF, San Francisco Giants. Chance of being traded: 50%," Passan and McDaniel write. "... Best fits: Phillies, Braves, Guardians, Padres, Diamondbacks, Rangers, Rays, Marlins."

The Phillies won't be alone in their interest for Lee, as plenty of clubs around baseball will have interest in the Japanese outfielder.

Lee is 27 years old and signed through the 2029 season on his six-year, $113 million deal. The Phillies adding Lee would be very interesting, especially with Lee's huge contract, and how he's a lefty hitter, not a righty, like what this team needs.

But, if the Phillies can't land someone like Byron Buxton, who was given just a 10% chance of being traded, or they don't want to add someone like Jo Adell or Taylor Ward, then Lee could be an option.

MORE: Phillies DFA No. 13-ranked prospect Jean Cabrera to keep Bryan De La Cruz

What's extra noteworthy about this is that this ESPN duo gives the trade odds for Lee at a fairly-high 50%. That's coin-flip odds, Lee is dealt, and the Phillies are one of the landing spots named by ESPN.

Even though Lee might not be the perfect fit, he is a solid player, hitting .315 this season with a .794 OPS and 124 OPS+. But, from the Phillies' perspective, his production against left-handed pitching is imperative to consider trading for Lee.

This season, in 90 at-bats against lefty pitching, Lee has a .311 batting average with a .788 OPS with two homers, four doubles, and 12 RBIs.

While the Phillies surely would rather trade for Buxton or maybe even Mike Trout, those two are completely unrealistic. Lee, however, appears to have a decent chance of being traded.

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