S. Korean infielder Choi Ji-man signs with Milwaukee Brewers

SEOUL, Jan. 15 (Yonhap) -- South Korean infielder Choi Ji-man has signed with the Milwaukee Brewers, his agency said Monday.

GSM said Choi has signed a contract worth up to $1.5 million, including incentives, with the Brewers. The 26-year-old spent the majority of last season in the minors, while appearing in six games for the New York Yankees.

In Triple-A last year, Choi batted .288 with 15 home runs and 69 RBIs in 87 games.

In 2017, Choi played in 54 games for the Los Angeles Angels. He has a career batting average of .181 in Major League Baseball (MLB), with seven home runs and 17 RBIs in 60 games.

GSM said Choi will try to win the spot backing up first baseman Eric Thames, a former MVP of the Korea Baseball Organization (KBO) who belted 31 homers in 2017, his first MLB season since 2012.

Last year, Jesus Aguilar made 52 starts at first base to back Thames, and batted .265 with 16 homers and 52 RBIs in 133 games.

"Right now, Aguilar is Choi's only competition, and Milwaukee has told us they won't acquire another first baseman," GSM said. "If Choi has a better spring than Aguilar, he'll have a shot at making the Opening Day roster."

Choi has also spent time in left field in both the minors and the majors.

According to GSM, Choi will make $850,000 in guaranteed salary if he makes the big league roster at the start of the season. He'll make an additional $200,000 for getting 200 plate appearances, and $100,000 for each additional 100 plate appearances.

GSM also said Choi can opt out of his deal at the end of spring training or on June 15 -- meaning Choi can become a free agent if he feels he can get a better opportunity elsewhere.

jeeho@yna.co.kr
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