SEATTLE — Pending free-agent Dae-Ho Lee says playing time will be an important consideration once he enters the free-agent market, which could be an impediment to reaching a new deal with the Mariners.
“Early on, it was fun to come off the bench to pinch hit,” Lee told The Korea Times and other reporters Monday after returning to South Korea, “but it started to hurt my pride later.”
Lee, 34, batted .253 with 14 homers and 49 RBIs in 104 games this season while serving primarily as the right-handed-hitting portion of a platoon arrangement at first base with left-handed-hitter Adam Lind.
While Lind is also a pending free agent, the Mariners have already indicated they plan to give rookie Dan Vogelbach, a left-handed hitter acquired last July in a trade with the Chicago Cubs, a long look at first base in spring training.
“My manager (Scott Servais) told me he’d like to have me for next year…,” Lee told reporters after landing at Incheon International Airport. “Playing time is an important factor to consider when choosing a team.”
Lee and Lind and five other Mariners will officially become free agents this week — one day after the conclusion of the World Series.
Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto previously confirmed the club’s interest in pursuing a new deal with Lee in part because there are few viable right-handed platoon options available either within the organization or in the free-agent market.
Lee was a star in Korea and Japan over 15 seasons before signing a one-year, minor-league deal last February with the Mariners that permitted him to become a free agent after the season.
M’s unveil special patch
The Mariners plan to commemorate their 40th anniversary season in 2017 by wearing a special patch on the right shoulder of their uniform jerseys.
The 40th-anniversary logo has Mount Rainier and the distinctive Seattle skyline serving as a backdrop for the Mariners’ nautical compass logo and the number 40.
There are two versions of the patch.
The Primary patch is predominantly navy blue, but there is a royal blue-and-gold version that will be worn on the the club’s alternate Sunday uniforms. The primary logo will also appear on the outfield wall at Safeco Field.
And, yes, if you want an authentic uniform with the commemorative patch for yourself, they should be available next week in the Mariners Team Stores.
The Mariners are also planning to mark their 40th anniversary season by inviting back former players and staging other special events. Those details will be announced at a later date.
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