SEATTLE MARINERS

Mariners’ manager Scott Servais: ‘Ichiro can help us win’

Mar 7, 2018, 10:29 AM | Updated: 1:57 pm

mariners, ichiro...

Ichiro Suzuki, now 44, last suited up for the Mariners over five years ago. (AP)

(AP)

Mariners manager Scott Servais joined Brock and Salk on 710 ESPN Seattle Wednesday morning, just minutes after the team announced it had signed team legend and future Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki.

“Ichiro is in the house today,” Servais said from Mariners spring training in Peoria, Ariz. “Hopefully we’ll see him out running around on the field. Give him a few days to get his legs underneath him and take some (batting practice), and get him into a game here maybe this weekend some time.”

Drayer: Mariners excited to welcome Ichiro back into the clubhouse

Ichiro, 44, last played for the Mariners in 2012, when he was traded midseason to the Yankees. Five years later, he still holds the franchise record for batting average (.322), hits (2,533) and stolen bases (438), and remains one of the most celebrated players in Mariners history.

For Servais, Ichiro’s significance represents an exciting coaching opportunity as well.

“The one year I was a scout for Jerry (Dipoto), in the scouting world you use the 20 to 80 scale,” Servais said. “And I did reports on like 750 players that one year. The Mariners were one of the organizations I was covering. I put two 80s. One of them was Ichiro, and the other one was a 19-year-old right hander in Tacoma named Felix Hernandez. And now I get to manage them both.

“It’s real exciting to bring him back in the fold. Coming back to Seattle, he’s an icon. He did so much for the organization and the city… I think he can help us win, and that’s why we brought him in. I think the fan base will be excited, our players will be excited, but at the end of the day it’s about winning. And I think he can help us win. So we’ll give him a shot and see what happens.”

Ichiro adds depth to a Seattle outfield that will be without left fielder Ben Gamel for four to six weeks.

In his first tenure in Seattle, Ichiro served as the Mariners’ leadoff hitter. However, Servais said that the veteran will hit near the bottom of the lineup when he plays in his return to the team.

“He’s going to play, there’s no doubt about it. Is he gonna play six, seven days a week? No, he’s not. I think we need to be smart there. He probably plays four, five times a week something like that, depending on the matchups and the schedule.

“He’ll hit at the bottom of our lineup; I think the top of our lineup’s probably well set. He’ll do what he does, get on base, play good defense. Hopefully maybe he’s hitting eighth, ninth in our lineup. You put him and (current leadoff hitter) Dee Gordon back to back, it could be fun. I know Ichiro’s speed numbers and what he does maybe isn’t what it used to be, but he’s still a threat. He’s got great instincts on the field, we saw that in his prime, and those instincts don’t go away, no matter how old you are. (He) understands the game and what it takes to win. Like I said, I think he’ll be a big attribute and help for us on the field, and I’m excited to see what he brings in our clubhouse.”

You can find the full interview with Servais in this podcast.

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick on Mariners’ signing of Ichiro

Brock and Salk podcast

Mariners Roof Report

Brought to you by
Rain then Showers And Thunderstorms
High 54° | Low 41°
Roof is open
Red Sox at Mariners today at 7:10pm

Seattle Mariners

Seattle Mariners Mitch Haniger...

Mike Salk

Salk: Scars remain as Mariners return, but hope isn’t far away

As the Seattle Mariners return for 2024, Seattle Sports' Mike Salk writes about seasons, scars, frustration, hope and baseball.

7 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Bryce Miller Logan Gilbert Bryan Woo...

Brandon Gustafson

Dontrelle Willis: Mariners’ rotation provides ‘quality every single day’

Dontrelle Willis, a former MLB pitcher and current analyst for FOX Sports, gives his Seattle Mariners insight ahead of opening day.

10 hours ago

Seattle Mariners commercials Julio Rodríguez...

Brent Stecker

Latest Mariners commercial teams Julio up with a franchise icon

Add a new duo to the list of great pairings in Seattle Mariners commercials, with All-Star outfielder Julio Rodríguez joined by a team icon.

13 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh...

Shannon Drayer

Why Mariners hitters are embracing new approach to offense

The Seattle Mariners have new players, new coaches and new messaging for their offense. Based on spring training, it's all landing.

14 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Julio Rodriguez...

Brandon Gustafson

Passan: Mariners’ Rodríguez can take game to another level in 2024

The 2024 MLB season can be when we see "the absolute apex" of star Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodríguez, ESPN's Jeff Passan said.

17 hours ago

Seattle Mariners Luis Castillo...

Brent Stecker

Mariners commercials are back, and they’re pretty good

After a four-year absence, Seattle Mariners commercials are back. Watch the first two starring Cal Raleigh and Luis Castillo here.

1 day ago

Mariners’ manager Scott Servais: ‘Ichiro can help us win’