Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki has been traded to the Yankees, leaving the only team he’s ever known.
The New York Yankees announced on Monday, reports CBS Sports , that it will be acquiring Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners. The New York Yankees will be acquiring Ichiro Suzuki and cash in a trade for two of the Yankees right-handers, D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar.
Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln said in a news release, reports PI Seattle :
“On behalf of our ownership group and everyone in the Seattle Mariners organization, I thank Ichiro for the great career he’s had here in Seattle. Several weeks ago, Ichiro Suzuki, through his long time agent, Tony Attanasio, approached Chuck Armstrong and me to ask that the Mariners consider trading him. Ichiro knows that the club is building for the future, and he felt that what was best for the team was to be traded to another club and give our younger players an opportunity to develop.
“I know that I speak for all of Ichiro’s fans, both here in the Pacific Northwest, around this country and also throughout Japan, in wishing him and his wife Yumiko the very best as he continues his baseball career with the Yankees.”
USA Today also makes note that Suzuki will wind up facing his old team Monday night as the New York Yankees face the Seattle Mariners. He will be wearing his familiar uniform number 51, last worn by Bernie Williams with the Yankees.
Soon after the trade it was officially posted on twitter by the Yankees:
OFFICIAL: @ Yankees have acquired Ichiro cash from Seattle for RHPs D.J. Mitchell Danny Farquhar.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 23, 2012
“Our plan is for him to play left field for us.” – #Yankees manager Joe Girardi.
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) July 23, 2012
How much of a game changer do you think this trading Ichiro Suzuki will be for the Yankees and Mariners?
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