At the age of 45, Ichiro Suzuki is refusing to hang up his cleats.
As such, the future Hall of Famer will be returning to the Seattle Mariners in 2019 on a minor-league contract.
The deal, which will net Suzuki $750,000 if he makes the major-league roster, would allow him to play in Japan when the Mariners begin their season there with a two-game slate.
For those games, Seattle will be able to carry a 28-man roster so it’s possible Suzuki suits up in his native land and is then sent to the showers for the rest of the season.
Ichiro Suzuki, 45, who also may be a future unanimous Hall of Famer, is set for his comeback with the Seattle #Mariners. He officially signs a minor-league contract with the #Mariners that pays him $750,000 if he makes the major-league roster.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 23, 2019
Source confirms @jonbecker_ report: The Seattle #Mariners have re-signed veteran outfielder Ichiro Suzuki to a minor-league contract with an invite spring training with the hopes that he can play in the team's opening series in Japan (and beyond that series, too).
— Andersen Pickard (@andersenreports) January 23, 2019
Should the Mariners decide the 2001 AL MVP isn’t fit to play in the majors anymore, he’ll likely return to a front office or coaching role with the organization.
“I want to be able to help the Seattle Mariners,” Suzuki said after originally re-signing with the team last year. “I want to give it everything I’ve gained, everything I’ve done in my career, I want to give it all right here in Seattle. I think everybody has heard I want to play ’til I’m 50. But I always say I want to play at least until I’m 50. Make sure everybody understands that.”
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