Marlins won’t pick up option on Suzuki
Derek Jeter’s first major roster move with the Miami Marlins was to part with former teammate Ichiro Suzuki.
The Marlins declined Suzuki’s $2-million club option, making him a free agent. Suzuki gets a $500,000 buyout.
Jeter, whose ownership group took over a month ago, played with Suzuki when both were members of the New York Yankees. The Marlins are expected to cut their payroll by one-third to about $90 million, and parting with Suzuki is just the start of an anticipated purge.
The 44-year-old Japanese outfielder has said he wants to play until he’s 50, but it’s unclear whether another team will sign him. Although he could return to the Marlins at a lower salary, their tweet Friday made that sound unlikely.
“It’s been an honor watching you play. Thanks, Ichiro!” the Marlins tweeted.
The World Series champion Houston Astros have not made the decision yet on whether they will visit the White House to meet with President Trump if an invitation is extended.
“We just won the first world championship in Houston Astros history,” Astros manager A.J. Hinch said shortly before the team left for a celebratory parade through downtown Houston on Friday. “We’re also in one of the most divided countries, polarizing countries in politics. I don’t know that this is the best stage for everybody to declare one way or the other and try to comment on the moment and be too much of a political statement.”
Masahiro Tanaka decided to stay with the New York Yankees and not exercise the right to opt out of the remaining three seasons of his contract . . . . The Pittsburgh Pirates have exercised their $14.75 million option on star outfielder Andrew McCutchen.