BATS ENTERTAINMENT: Ichiro Suzuki finalized his two-year, $13 million deal to remain with the Yankees yesterday, but the Mariners, Phillies and Rangers have their eye on Raul Ibanez (inset). (NY Post: Charles Wenzelberg; EPA)
On the day Ichiro Suzuki officially replaced Nick Swisher as the Yankees’ right fielder, the club’s chances of retaining Raul Ibanez didn’t increase because the Mariners acquired left-handed hitting Kendry Morales from the Angels for lefty Jason Vargas.
Ichiro’s two-year deal for $13 million was finalized Wednesday night and provides the Yankees with an all left-handed hitting outfield since Brett Gardner and Curtis Granderson swing from that side.
The Yankees are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder to complement their three outfielders. Because the Mariners have shown a strong interest in signing Ibanez to be the DH, getting the 29-year-old Morales could be taken as a sign the Mariners have backed off the 40-year-old Ibanez.
Nevertheless, according to people familiar with the Mariners’ thinking, they still want Ibanez.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is talking to Ibanez’s agents about returning, but the Mariners, Phillies and Rangers are also interested in the left-handed hitter who swatted 19 homers in the regular season and three more in October.
Getting Morales, who batted .273 with 22 homers and 73 RBIs last year, is a strong indication the Mariners have doubts about first baseman Justin Smoak, the centerpiece of the 2010 Cliff Lee deal, developing into a run-producing first baseman.
Smoak was sent to the minors last season, and in 132 major league games the switch-hitter batted .217 with 19 homers and 51 RBIs. The Mariners interest in Ibanez is an indication they are prepared to give former Yankees prospect Jesus Montero a chance to be the full-time catcher.
As for Ichiro, he is the only free agent signed by the Yankees this offseason to more than a one-year deal. And with him needing 394 hits to reach 3,000 in America, the multi-year deal could be worth substantial marketing dollars in Japan for the Yankees as Ichiro nears the 3,000 mark.
“There was a competitive market for him,’’ Cashman said of Ichiro, who received a two-year offer for $14 million from the Phillies and had another two-year deal.
Acquired in late July from Seattle, Ichiro quickly became a fan favorite in The Bronx and fit nicely into the clubhouse.
“The Yankees are the kind of team that I always envisioned being a part of,” Suzuki said in a statement. “Everyone in the world of competition has a strong desire to win, but the Yankees also have an atmosphere where losing is not an option. These two observations may sound similar, but I believe it is a rarity to find both coexisting in the same organization.
“I believe the Yankees organization appreciates that there is a difference between a 39-year-old who has played relying only on talent, and a 39-year-old who has prepared, practiced, and thought thoroughly through many experiences for their craft. I am very thankful, and I will do my best to deliver on their expectations.”
Suzuki hit .322 in 67 games for the Yankees.
“He was a viable option to replace Swisher, who is a hard guy to replace. People don’t realize how good he is,’’ Cashman said. “If you are looking for that kind or replacement, you can’t find a better one.’’