After one year in the majors, Seattle Mariners first baseman Dae-Ho Lee has a decision to make about his future.
Per the Korea Times, Lee, an impending free agent, said manager Scott Servais told him that "he’d like to have me for next year."
Lee also said playing time is an important factor in his choice. The 34-year-old rookie, formerly a star in Japan and Korea, started 104 games for the Mariners, platooning with Adam Lind at first base.
Lind, also a free-agent-to-be, is expected to be let go by the Mariners. First-base prospect Dan Vogelbach, acquired from the Chicago Cubs in late July in exchange for Mike Montgomery, is likely to replace Lind as the left-handed hitting option at the position. Should Lee stay with the Mariners, he could again serve as the right-handed bat at first base.
Lee was signed to a one-year, $1 million contract in 2016. He finished the season batting .253 with 14 home runs and 49 RBIs. He hit his first big league home run in his fifth career at-bat, becoming the fastest Korean player to do so.
--Alex Tekip
