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He will enter the 2016 season, his 16th in the U.S. and second in Miami, with 2,935 hits in the majors. Originally signed for $2 million to provide depth in the outfield and as a pinch-hitter in 2015, Suzuki instead saw regular action after an injury to star outfielder Giancarlo Stanton.
Suzuki’s slash line in 2015 (.229/.282/.279) was far below his career MLB averages (.314/.356/.406) as he chases the 3,000-hit mark. With the 1,278 hits he had in Japan, he has 4,213 at the professional level, second only to Pete Rose’s all-time hits mark of 4,256.
A 10-time All-Star and Gold Glove winner, Suzuki arrived in the U.S. in 2001, making an immediate impact with the Mariners as the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year.
