Free-agent outfielder Ichiro Suzuki signed with the Miami Marlins on Friday. The deal is pending a physical.
According to the Associated Press, the deal is for one year and $2 million. The deal doesn’t include an option for 2016. It is likely that the contract will be formally completed next week. Suzuki becomes the first Japanese player in Marlins history.
Suzuki joined the Seattle Mariners in 2001 after spending nine years with the Pacific League’s Orix Blue Wave in Japan. He won the American League Most Valuable Player award and the American League Rookie of the Year award in his first major league season. In 2012 he was traded to the New York Yankees. Last year he hit .284 with a .664 OPS and 15 stolen bases in 143 games with the Yankees, according to MLB.com. He is a career .317 hitter.
In 14 seasons with the Mariners and Yankees, Suzuki has 2,844 career hits. Between Japan and the U.S. he has 4,122 professional hits, and is 134 hits away from Peter Rose’s record of 4,256 hits, ESPN notes. He made the All-Star team and won a Gold Glove in each of his first ten seasons with the Mariners.
Suzuki becomes the latest addition to the Marlins this offseason. The Marlins have also acquired pitcher Aaron Crow, second baseman Dee Gordon, and right-handed pitchers Dan Haren and Mat Latos. They also resigned Giancarlo Stanton to a record $325 million, 13 year-contract.