Ichiro Suzuki awaiting New York Yankees’ decision in free agency – MLB News
According to msnfoxsports.com, the New York Yankees are desperate to resign All Star Ichiro Suzuki for the next season. Ichiro loved playing at the Bronx last season and the Yankees have also shown strong interest in bringing him back for 2013 season, the
source further claimed.
The 39 year old Ichiro was acquired from the Seattle Mariners in a mid a season trade. He displayed some top quality hitting skills in his very first season at Yankee Stadium, helping his side secure the American League East Division title. After batting
.261 in 95 games for the Mariners, he up his game play considerably, hitting .322 with an excellent .794 OPS in 67 games in New York.
Ichiro had been awaiting Yankees’ decision for the last couple of weeks. According to major league baseball sources, his agent started to talk with other teams since the Yankees had gone cold on him.
If the Yankees sign him, Ichiro is likely to join the other two left handers Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson in the outfield. News have also surfaced that the Yankees are exploring the idea of trading Granderson to add a right handed outfielder to their
big league 25 man roster.
“They are going after pitching first which is what the Yankees normally do,’’ Tony Attanasio, Ichiro’s well-respected agent, said. “There has been a lot of interest [from teams], but he enjoyed playing for the Yankees so much it’s hard for him to say no
to the Yankees. His preference is to stay there instead of going someplace else, but we will wait and see.’’
Even after Ichiro returns to New York, the Yankees will try to re-sign free agent Raul Ibanez, who is likely to play the Designated Hitter role in the team.
The Yankees have also made a one year $12 million offer to free agent Kevin Youkilis. The right handed hitter could play third base until Alex Rodriguez recovers from his hip injury. Josh Hamilton, who is the most accomplished hitter in the free agent market,
is also on the Yankees’ radar but until now they do not appear to be serious about him.
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