Lee has late March opt-out clause in minor-league deal with Mariners
PEORIA, Ariz. — Korean first baseman Dae-Ho Lee has a late March opt-out clause in his minor-league contract, a Mariners official confirmed Friday on the eve of the club’s start of official spring workouts.
Lee, 33, agreed Feb. 3 to a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to big-league camp. Lee will get $4 million if he makes the big-league club.
"This is an opportunity for Dae-Ho to come over and make the big-league club," general manager Jerry Dipoto said. "If not, he’s on a minor-league pay rate, and we’ll determine at that point what we do."
The Mariners open full-squad workouts on Feb. 25. Pitchers and catchers hold their first workout on Saturday at the Peoria Sports Complex.
Lee will battle Jesus Montero, Gaby Sanchez and Stefen Romero for duty as a right-handed complement to first baseman Adam Lind, a left-handed hitter. Sanchez also played last season in Japan and also has an opt-out clause.
Montero is out of options, which means he can’t be sent to the minors without clearing waivers. Romero has an option remaining. The opt-out clauses permit Lee and Sanchez to become free agents rather than accept a minor-league assignment.
The Mariners signed Lee after he batted .282 last season with 31 homers and 98 RBIs in 141 games for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan’s Pacific League. He was also picked as the Most Valuable Player in the Japan Series.
A Korean native, Lee spent four years in Japan after an 11-year career in the Korean Baseball Organization. He batted .293 over the last four seasons with a .370 on-base percentage while averaging 24 homers and 87 RBIs.
"We know we got a guy with a storied history in Korea," Dipoto said. "(A guy) who went to Japan and became a star in that league, and who has opted to come here.
"There’s no reason to anticipate he’s going to be anything but as good as he can be. Because this is where he wants to be."
Lee previously won three batting titles and two home run titles while playing for Lotte in Korea.
SUCRE’S STATUS
The start of camp permits the Mariners to clear a space on their 40-man roster whenever necessary by placing injured catcher Jesus Sucre on the 60-day disabled list.
"We’ll let that time play out," Dipoto said. "We don’t need the roster spot right now. Eventually, I would be stunned if he doesn’t end up on the 60-day DL. But we won’t use the spot until we need to."
Sucre, 27, is expected to miss six months after suffering a broken fibula and a severely sprained ankle in his right leg on Jan. 17 in a slide at second base while playing for Magellanes in the Venezuelan Winter League playoffs.
Players on the 60-day disabled list do not count against a club’s 40-man roster, but their 60-day count doesn’t begin until opening day.
The rules prohibit clubs from putting a player on the 60-day disabled list unless they have no openings on the 40-man roster. The Mariners currently do not have any openings.
SHORT HOPS
Right-hander Felix Hernandez arrived for camp sporting blond hair and a goatee to match…Second baseman Robinson Cano is in camp early, and he underwent a physical exam Friday (with the pitchers and catchers) after undergoing surgery last October for a sports hernia…General manager Jerry Dipoto said there were no excused absences or incoming injuries Friday when the pitchers and catchers reported for physical examinations. "They’re all here," he said, "and we’re expecting them all to be out there (Saturday)."…Tentative plans call for the Mariners to start daily workouts at 10 a.m. Players will generally be on the field a little earlier for stretching and conditioning.
Bob Dutton: @TNT_Mariners
This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 8:49 AM with the headline "Lee has late March opt-out clause in minor-league deal with Mariners."