Yankees rumors: Ichiro Suzuki hopes to re-sign with New York

A person close to Ichiro Suzuki told Joel Sherman of The New York Post that the outfielder hopes to re-sign with the New York Yankees this offseason:

But a person close to Ichiro told me he strongly wants to stay with the Yankees because he so enjoyed playing in a professional, winning atmosphere with so many contemporaries near his age range.

Sherman says the contact can’t imagine money being a factor for Ichiro, noting that a one-year deal in the $5-8 million range may "get it done." While the 39-year-old was extremely productive during his time in New York, Sherman isn’t sure if the Yankees will want to construct a starting outfield that includes both Brett Gardner and Ichiro.

The Yankees acquired Ichiro from the Seattle Mariners in July for right-handers Danny Farquhar and D.J. Mitchell. After hitting only .261/.288/.353 over 402 at-bats with the Mariners, Ichiro ended the year with the Yankees batting .322/.340/.454 with 13 doubles and five home runs over 227 at-bats.

Ichiro ultimately became the team’s No. 2 hitter, collecting 11 hits over 40 at-bats in the postseason, including two doubles, one home runs and five RBI.