Entering the 2012-2013 MLB offseason, the New York Yankees have a plethora of free agents. Ichiro Suzuki is one of them, and I would like to see him on the Yankees’ roster again in 2013. MLB.com’s Evan Drellich reports that Suzuki wants to remain a Yankee according to Suzuki’s agent Tony Attanasio.
Speed on the bases
Suzuki provides speed on the bases that few other Yankees possess. Brett Gardner is a speed demon, and Curtis Granderson can run, but no other Yankees have base-stealing speed. Even at age 39, Suzuki can still beat out a bunt or infield hit and steal bases when needed. In only 67 games as a Yankee in 2012 – and not all as a starter – Suzuki stole 14 bases, which led the team for the entire season. He stole 29 bases in all with the Seattle Mariners and the Yankees.
Stolen bases tell only part of the story. Suzuki can turn singles into doubles, go first to third, score easily on a single, and get to second fast enough to break up a possible double play. When not starting, he still makes a valuable pinch hitter or runner late in any game.
Yankee Stadium power
Suzuki is not known for power, but he spent most of his career hitting in a pitcher-friendly Safeco Field in Seattle. Suzuki can hit his share of home runs when needed. He hit five as a Yankee in 2012, and he has enough power as a left-handed hitter to put some balls over that Yankee Stadium short porch in right field. His game is hitting line drives and ground balls to the opposite field, but he knows when and how to turn on a ball when necessary. Yankee Stadium could get Suzuki 10 to 20 home runs as an everyday player.
As a Yankee in 2012, Suzuki showed that he can still play the outfield well. He played all three positions for the Yankees without making an error. With Nick Swisher likely gone to free agency, Suzuki could spend most of his playing time in right field. A speedy outfield of Gardner, Granderson, and Suzuki would make it tough for any hitter to find a gap very often. Even if the Yankees brought in another right fielder, Suzuki could fill in any of the three positions to give a starter a day off. In addition, he still throws exceptionally well. He would be the best fourth outfielder in the game.
Ichiro Suzuki apparently wants to play for the Yankees, and the Yankees should re-sign him. A one-year deal with incentives would make the most sense. He is a proven talent, and he can still play the game very well. Manager Joe Girardi has a knack for getting the most out of his older players, and I see no reason why he could not do the same with Suzuki. The Yankees should sign Ichiro Suzuki now.
Sources:
Baseball Reference, Ichiro Suzuki Player Page, baseball-reference.com.
Evan Drellich, Agent: Ichiro Wants to Stay with Yanks, Yankees.mlb.com, November 24, 2012.
Raymond was born inConnecticutinto a family spilt between the Red Sox and Yankees. Although he grew up inFlorida, Raymond became aYankeesfan. He played baseball through high school and soon after became a varsity coach. Raymond previously produced radio sports talk shows and hosted a weekly MLB radio call-in show. Follow Raymond onTwitter@RayBureau
