SodoMojo’s Top-10 Most-Viewed Mariners Stories of 2014

Sep 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter (2) is congratulated by right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (31) after being replaced by a pinch runner during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

6: Is Ichiro Suzuki Planning A Seattle Mariners Homecoming?

In a collaboration between FanSided’s Yanks Go Yard and Sodo Mojo, we broke a story about Ichiro and his agent discussing baseball in a Bellevue restaurant:

"Ichiro and the other gentleman were overheard speaking to each other in English, talking about baseball and Ichiro’s future plans. In recent weeks, Ichiro has made known that he’d like to continue playing Major League Baseball in hopes of getting to the 3,000 hit milestone in the MLB."

The other gentleman was his agent, and as they discussed possibilities Seattle did come up, though in no definitive way. Later in the offseason, Ichiro made it clear publicly that he wants to play in 2015, and that he wants to reach 3,000 hits in the MLB before he retires. Ichiro currently has 2,844 hits in his 14 MLB seasons to go along with 1,278 in Japan. He would need 156 more hits to get to 3,000.

At this juncture in the offseason, it seems very unlikely the Mariners will sign Ichiro to any sort of Major League deal for 2015. The outfield is already prepped for a platoon with Seth Smith and Justin Ruggiano, and his older, left-handed bat wouldn’t necessarily mesh with the M’s current plan.

But don’t sleep on Ichiro, you never know what the M’s might do. But for now, he remains a free agent.

At number 5 in our top-1o stories, it’s another post about an outfielder connected with the Mariners this offseason: