Written by Greg Johns at MLB.com
Jerry Dipoto’s search for a right-handed hitting first baseman to platoon with Adam Lind turned international on Wednesday, as the Mariners announced they’d agreed to terms on a one-year Minor League deal with Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee.
Also signed to a Minor League contract was catcher Steve Lerud. Both deals include an invitation to big league camp later this month. No financial terms were announced, but a report from Korean baseball writer and commentator Min Hook-ki indicated Lee could earn up to $4 million with incentives if he makes the Major League club.
“Dae-Ho gives us another potential right-handed power bat in the first-base competition,” Dipoto said. “He has performed at a very high level of production in both Korea and Japan, and we are excited to see how that translates to our team.”
Lee, 33, put up a .282/.368/.524 line with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs in 141 games last year for SoftBank in Japan’s Nippon Professional League. He’s played in Japan the past four seasons after beginning his career with 10 seasons in Korea.
One of Dipoto’s remaining pursuits this offseason has been to find a first-base partner to go with Lind, a lefty who excels against right-handed pitching. Converted catcher Jesus Montero is the primary right-handed option at this point, but he is out of Minor League options and still has questions about his defensive abilities at first base.
The Mariners have also signed right-handed-hitting veteran Gaby Sanchez to a Minor League deal, and Dipoto has talked of using outfielder
To continue reading this article, click now.
