Seattle Mariners Have Tough Decision Ahead Regarding Dae-ho Lee

The Seattle Mariners have a few battles remaining this spring, but none as hotly contested as the battle for the backup first base spot on the roster. Three candidates have emerged for the position, including Dae-ho Lee, Stefen Romero and Jesus Montero. With a week left in spring training, in a perfect world the Mariners would take their time to make their final decision, but they do not have that luxury.

Lee was signed to a contract with the Mariners in the offseason that pays him $1 million, with up to $4 million in incentives if he makes the 40-man roster. The most important part of his contract is that he has an opt-out clause on March 27th, presumably for if he does not make the MLB roster. That’s tomorrow.

Montero has looked like he is the last option of the three up to this point in spring, going 9 for 38 with 12 strikeouts. His average isn’t pretty, but it really is the strikeouts that work against him with the new emphasis on on-base percentage. Montero, as of Saturday, has an abysmal .256 OBP in spring.

Romero is the real reason why Lee has not locked up the backup first base spot yet. Romero has definitely surprised this spring, hitting for a batting line of .389/.405/.528 in 15 games. The reason Romero is not a lock himself is because he is the only one of the three candidates that has options left.

So the questions become how much do you value spring training and are the Mariners playing for now or the future? Having Romero on the major league roster means losing both Lee and Montero, the latter most likely being picked up off waivers. Even if Romero starts the season in Triple-A, either Lee or Montero will be lost.

If I’m Jerry Dipoto, GM of the Mariners, Lee is the answer for me. There is no reason to lose two players, so Romero should not be an option. Lee could be making a lot more money if he was still playing in Japan, but he wanted to prove himself in MLB. I think he has done enough to earn that opportunity, hitting .250 with 10 runs as of Saturday morning, all while adjusting to not just a new team and opponents, but a new country and language.

Mariners’ fans have been enamored with Lee as well (myself included), making him a fan favorite already. There is the possibility that tomorrow, Lee may not be with the Mariners anymore. I will be hoping that when tomorrow morning comes, the Mariners will say that Lee is the backup first baseman for the season.