Report: Ex-Yankee Ichiro Heading To The Marlins
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- His return to the Bronx was considered a long shot, but Ichiro Suzuki's major league career will continue nonetheless.
According to CBSSports.com/WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman, Suzuki, 41, has reached an agreement on a one-year deal with the Miami Marlins, presumably to be their fourth outfielder.
Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported the deal to be worth around $2 million.
Source: #Marlins indeed closing in on Ichiro, as @craigmish reported. Deal expected to be one year in $2M range.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
A career .317 hitter with 10 200-plus-hit seasons, Ichiro played well in a reserve role for the Yankees after coming over in a trade from the Seattle Mariners in late 2012, hitting a combined .281 in 1,106 at-bats through last season.
The future Hall of Famer, who has 4,122 hits during a 23-year career that included nine seasons in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball league, has plenty of incentive to keep his hit parade going with the Marlins.
Ichiro deal with #Marlins unlikely to include option. If he gets close to 3,000 hits (156 away) he would be more enticing as FA next winter.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 23, 2015
The one thing missing from Ichiro's impressive list of accomplishments is a World Series ring. While not the favorites in the NL East, the Marlins head into the 2015 season much improved and should challenge for a wild card.
After signing outfielder Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million contract, the Marlins went on to trade for, among others, second baseman Dee Gordon, infielder Martin Prado, right-handers Mat Latos, Dan Haren and David Phelps. They also signed free agent first baseman Michael Morse.