While the Yankees wait on Kevin Youkilis’ decision to accept or reject a one-year, $12 million offer, they are close to bringing Ichiro Suzuki back to The Bronx.
“He has a lot of interest from two or three teams but it could get done in the next couple of days,’’ a person familiar with the situation said of Ichiro returning to the Yankees, who are looking to fill the void in right field created by Nick Swisher’s departure.
Early in the process, Suzuki’s agent, Tony Attanasio, said his client was willing to wait on the Yankees. Then when the Yankees focused strictly on getting their pitching in order, Attanasio’s tune changed.
“At the beginning we talked a lot but since that time, zero,’’ Attanasio said on Nov. 30 of discussions with the Yankees, which since have been resumed. “As far as we’re concerned, we don’t care what the Yankees do. We have had conversations with multiple clubs. If we see something we like, he’ll go through with it.”
If the left-handed-hitting Ichiro returns — likely on a one-year deal — the Yankees will still need a right-handed bat in the outfield, which already houses lefty swingers Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson.
One possibility is Scott Hairston, the former Met who can play right and left field.
Ichiro, 39, quickly turned into a Yankee Stadium fan favorite. Thanks to a torrid seven-game stretch in August in which he went 10-for-19 (.526), he batted .322 in 67 games as a Yankee following his trade from the Mariners.
Because the Yankees haven’t offered anybody a multi-year deal this offseason, it’s likely Ichiro’s offer would be for one year. After making $17 million last season, Ichiro can expect a sizeable pay cut.
Having Gardner in left and Ichiro in right for the Yankees would create significant power shortages at the corner outfield spots, usually manned by players who hit home runs and drive in runs.
However, Granderson hit 41 and 43 the past two seasons and drove in 225 runs and Robinson Cano has averaged more than 28 homers and 101 RBIs in the past four seasons. That type of production is well above what center fielders and second baseman provide.
Even if Gardner and Granderson switch positions, that wouldn’t figure to affect Granderson’s run production.
Yankees pitchers certainly would like an outfield of Gardner, Granderson and Ichiro. All three run well and have above-average arms.