Loading ...The New York Yankees have officially re-signed outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a two-year contract worth roughly $13 million.
Despite New York's desire to fill out the roster with one-year deals, the Yankees were forced to make Ichiro a two-year offer after multiple teams became interested. By returning to the Bronx, the 39 year-old outfielder left higher offers on the table from the Philadelphia Phillies and San Francisco Giants, who reportedly offered two-year deals worth $14 million and $15 million respectively.
Suzuki started slow last season, hitting just .261 in his first 95 games with the Seattle Mariners, but revived his career after being traded to the Yankees, hitting .322 with five home runs, 27 RBI, and 14 stolen bases in 67 games.
With Ichiro expected to start in right field, Curtis Granderson starting in center field, and Brett Gardner in left field, all three starters in New York's outfield are left-handed hitters. In addition, Ichiro and Gardner are both contact hitters known for their base running rather than home run power. To counter the left-handed bats and lack of power at the corner outfield positions, the Yankees are looking to sign a right-handed power-hitter.
New York's top option to fill that role is free agent Scott Hairston, who hit 20 home runs with the New York Mets last season.
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