TOKYO (AP) ― Ichiro Suzuki is looking forward to starting the baseball season the way he ended last season: as a member of the New York Yankees.
The Yankees and Suzuki finalized a $13 million, two-year contract in December that kept the 10-time All-Star in the Bronx after he was obtained in a trade with Seattle last July.
“Signing with the Yankees has given me a new sense of determination,” the 39-year-old outfielder said. “This is a unique team, a team that can have a player like Alex Rodriguez as a pinch hitter is special and to be part of that is exciting.”
Suzuki, who’ll make $6.5 million in each of the next two seasons, revived his career and quickly became a fan favorite in New York. His batting average jumped from .261 with the Mariners to .322 with the Yankees, with five homers, 27 RBIs and 14 steals.
