Mariners News: M’s Sign Big Boy, Dae-Ho Lee

The Seattle Mariners have signed Korean slugger Dae-Ho Lee to a Minor League deal with an invite to spring training.

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Dae-Ho Lee is a 6-foot-4, 286 pound, right handed first baseman and right handed power hitter.  He looks like a giant Korean Babe Ruth.  Although Shannon Drayer has noted that the rumor is that he has been working out in the last few months to play Major League Baseball and has lost a significant amount of weight.  He is 33 years old.

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He has played professionally in both the Korean Baseball Organization (KBO) and the Japan Pacific League (JPPL).  He is a right handed power hitting first baseman and has found success in both Korea and Japan.  He played 11 years in Korea for the Lotte Giants from 2001 to 2011.  He hit .336/.409/.571 while earning the Triple Crown in 2006.  Then in 2010 he earned the Triple Crown again hitting .364/.444/.667.  He not only led in the major three categories but according to this article  he also led the league in OBP, slugging percentage, hits, and runs scored.  He hit home runs in nine straight games that year as well eclipsing the MLB record set by three Major League players including Ken Griffey Jr.

As a fan favorite in KBO he earned the nick name Big Boy most likely due to his frame and weight and not due to resemblance to the Big Boy character from the Big Boy restaurant.  Although if he’s looking for a little extra money, there might be an endorsement deal there to be had.

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During his most recent four years he has continued to hit well in Japan with the Orix Buffaloes and the Softbank Hawks making the All-Star team three out of the four years.  In his most recent two years with Softbank Hawks, they won the Japan Series each year.  He was the Japan Series MVP in 2015.  In his 15 year KBO and JPPL career he hit .303/.387/.514.  He’s also hit 323 home runs between the two foreign leagues.

Because he was a free agent, he was able to negotiate a deal and did not have to be posted by the JPPL.   Jerry Dipoto has stated that he will compete for the first base position.

It’s highly unlikely that Dae-Ho Lee will unseat Adam Lind at first base.  But Seattle Mariners Executive Vice President and General Manager Jerry Dipoto knows exactly what he’s doing.  This is the always compete, Pete Carroll philosophy.  He’s making sure everyone knows that it’s an open competition.  It could very well be that he will compete with Clevenger and Montero as the platoon partner for Adam Lind.  However, it’s Spring Training and hope springs eternal for the Big Boy.