Lee looks to add MLB success to resume

Lee Dae-ho does not have the typical background of a spring training non-roster invitee.

The 33-year-old South Korean slugger has superstar status in Asia after playing professionally for 15 seasons. He gave up a hefty contract and the chance to win a third straight Japanese Series championship to contend for a role-player position with the Seattle Mariners.

Yet, Lee is happy to find himself in tight competition to make the team and reach the apex of professional baseball.

"Competition always makes me a better player," Lee said through an interpreter. "I just want to enjoy it. I just want to make the team."

On Sunday at the Peoria Sports Complex, Lee, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, dwarfed his teammates near the batting cage.

He said he has shed about 15 pounds from his playing weight in Japan. Being more nimble and quicker on defense will help him in his quest to get a spot on the major league roster.

Seattle manager Scott Servais said Lee and the other players vying for the backup first base role must be able to field to make the team.

"He's going to have to play defense, that's how we're built," Servais said. "It'll be important, he knows it's important. We've talked to him about it and he's been working with (coach) Manny (Acta), getting a feel over there and getting comfortable."

Lee has been working out at Seattle's complex since signing a minor league contract about two weeks before camp opened. He said he feels ready for the season.

"I've been playing for the last 14 years," he said. "I think this is the most prepared time of my career."

Lee is competing with Jesus Montero and Gaby Sanchez to make the team as the right-handed hitter in a first base platoon with left-handed batter Adam Lind, who will start the majority of games.

Montero, 26, has not lived up to expectations since being traded by the New York Yankees to Seattle in 2012, playing only 73 big league games in the past three seasons. He is out of minor league options.

Sanchez played the 2015 season in Japan, hitting .226 with seven home runs and 18 RBIs in 66 games for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Lee, playing for the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of the Nippon Professional Baseball league last season, hit .282 with 31 home runs and 98 RBIs. He has 323 career home runs and a lifetime .303 batting average.

Yet, despite his massive frame, Lee said he is not a stereotypical slugger.

"I'm not a really big home run guy; I just try to put everything in the center (of the bat) and control the ball," he said. "So when it's hit good, it's automatically a home run."

Servais has been impressed with Lee in spring training and understands the player might have some catching up to do.

"It's an adjustment period to how we practice and go about our day," said the manager.

"I don't know what they do in Japan or Korea as much, but I'm sure there's some differences there.

"Getting him to understand and be comfortable with our bunt plays, cutoffs and relays, being in the right spot is a big deal as well.

"From a manager's perspective, you want to be able to trust that the guys you're putting out there are going to be in the right spot. They're not always going to make the play, but they've got to be in the right spot."

Lee believes he has already found the right spot.