The New York Yankees have an option in Ichiro Suzuki if in case they can't and won't sign Nick Swisher as the Japanese star will wait for an offer.
He understands the Yankees are after their pitching first, so he is patiently waiting for them to complete those deals
Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte are the guys the Yanks' are trying to work something with before worrying about any other players.
Recently, they signed veteran Kiroki Kuroda to a one-year deal worth $15 million. Though the Yankees didn't win with these guys, they must like something about the atmosphere in the Bronx clubhouse since Kuroda took a paycut to stay in New York.
"They are going after pitching first which is what the Yankees normally do," said his agent Tony Attanasio. "There has been a lot of interest [from teams], but he enjoyed playing for the Yankees so much it's hard for him to say no to the Yankees. His preference is to stay there instead of going someplace else, but we will wait and see."
Ichiro would also take a paycut as he made $17 million in 2012. But he is a veteran and knows what he wants. If he has to wait, he will wait for the Yankees. Ichiro has banked close to $150 million in his 12 year career. He is chasing after that ring.
In 2012, while playing 67 games for the Bombers, Ichiro hit .322 hitting five homers, driving in 21 and stealing 14 bases. Though 39, he committed zero errors in the Yankee outfield proving super efficient on defense. He also had two assists from the outfield.
Other teams interested in Ichiro include the San Francisco Giants and Chicago White Sox.
