The Miami Marlins are heading into the offseason after a disappointing year, but the team has already made some moves for 2016, including keeping Ichiro Suzuki. The team reportedly has asked manager Dan Jennings to step back into the general manager role and this comes as Giancarlo Stanton is working to get healthy after missing most of this season with a hand injury.
According to ESPN.com, the Marlins announced the news regarding Suzuki returning and he will be back on a one-year deal worth $2 million. Ichiro is close to 3000 hits and that could happen in a Marlins uniform next season depending on how much Suzuki plays. Suzuki played in 153 games last season and had 91 hits and he now has 2,935 in the major leagues in America. Suzuki has a career batting average over .310, although this year he put up a .229 average, which was a career low.
Stanton being injured forced the Marlins to play Suzuki more than expected and now the team has brought the Japanese star back for another season. Stanton was off to a fantastic start for the Marlins this season before getting injured, as he had 27 home runs and 67 RBI in just 74 games. Stanton did not return after the injury and did not play past June and now the team is hoping that he can come back healthy.
According to ESPN.com, the Marlins are having Dan Jennings back as general manager and he will step back from his role as manager of the team. Jennings took over after the Marlins fired Mike Redmond and now he will come back to his original job as GM. The team will search for a new manager and Jennings is still under contract into the 2018 season as general manager.
The Marlins announced the news about Suzuki on Twitter and he now will return for Miami next season. The Marlins had expectations of contending this season, but that did not work out with Stanton and his injuries and heading into next year the team is hoping things turn around. Having Suzuki on the roster also adds some attention for fans and could help the team sell some tickets, as the outfielder is just 65 hits away from getting to 3000 for his career in the MLB.
The team used Suzuki more than expected last season and the team got a boost on social media and around the league after using the outfielder as a pitcher in the final game of the season. Suzuki has long said that he has wanted to pitch in the majors, even back when he was with the Seattle Mariners and he finally was able to fulfill that desire. Ichiro reportedly hit 88 MPH on the speed gun and while he gave up a couple doubles, he was able to get out of the inning.
Check here for more on the Marlins, Stanton, Jennings and Suzuki.
