New York Yankees ink Ichiro Suzuki, talks to Raul Ibanez’s agent – MLB News
New York Yankees and free agent outfielder Ichiro Suzuki finalized a two year $13 million deal on Wednesday, reports a leading sports website. With Suzuki back in New York, the Yankees’ batting lineup is looking solid. However, it is still unclear if the
Yankees are pursuing right handed outfielder Raul Ibanez, who had a wonderful time on the plate for them in the past season.
Ichiro will be replacing former Yankees Nick Swisher, who was allowed to become a free agent at the end of the season. According to sources, Swisher was seeking a long term contract but the Yankees were not satisfied with his post season performances.
The 39 year old Ichiro, a left hander, showed the stuff he is capable of in his brief stint for the Yankees in 2012. After moving to New York from the Seattle Mariners in a mid season trade, the Japanese born hitter made the most of available opportunities.
“The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of,” Suzuki said in a statement. “Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations
may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization.
His five home runs, .322 average with 14 stolen bases in 67 games was enough to impress the Manager Joe Girardi and General Manager Brian Cashman. Ichiro is expected to start in the right field with Curtis Granderson in centre and Brett Gardner in the left,
the source further claimed.
But the Yankees are also seeking a right handed hitting outfielder to complement three left outfielders in Suzuki, Gardner and Granderson. The 40 year old Ibanez seems to be the perfect choice for them but other Major League Baseball teams including the
Seattle Mariners have shown strong interest in him.
News have surfaced that Cashman has been talking with Ibanez’s agent about the possibility of retuning to The Bronx. Ibanez belted 19 regular season home runs and 3 post season home runs in a very productive season last year.
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