Miami Marlins: Ichiro Suzuki Plans on Playing in 2018

It has been a rough year for Ichiro Suzuki thus far. Nonetheless, the Miami Marlins fourth outfielder is planning on continuing to play in 2018.

Despite setting the record as the all time major league hits leader amongst foreign born players, the 2017 campaign has not been kind to Ichiro Suzuki. The Miami Marlins fourth outfielder has looked every one of his 43 years of age this season, posting a career worst .220/.267/.294 batting line. He has yet to steal a base this season, and has four extra base hits in his 117 plate appearances. It has, indeed, been a rough season for Ichiro.

Even with these struggles, Ichiro is not considering retirement. Considering he did say that he wants to play until he is 50, that reluctance to retire is understandable. However, as it seems highly unlikely that the Marlins bring him back, it may be difficult for Ichiro to find an opportunity next season.

His struggles this year go beyond his mediocre batting line. An excellent contact hitter with a career strikeout rate of just 10.0%, Ichiro has struck out in 21% of his plate appearances this year. Even when he has put the ball into play, he has not hit with any authority this year. Only 13% of the balls that Ichiro has put into play have been line drives, a paltry mark for a player who was able to spray the ball around the park.

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Ichiro can still offer a lot to a team in terms of intangibles. He can show younger players what it is like to be a professional, and the importance of hard work and being prepared. He can fill a leadership role, and help mentor a team. In a way, he could be another coach on the field.

While that would certainly be a good role for Ichiro next season, he is still intent on playing. However, it is fair to wonder if he has anything left to offer on the field. For all of his preparation, dedication to working out and staying in shape, and his knowledge of hitting, he just does not have that ability any longer. Time, the enemy of every living thing, has caught up with the Japanese legend.

Perhaps, as Ichiro has a chance to look back after the season ends, he will come to that realization. He could then take a one day contract with the Mariners, retiring as a member of the team that he became a star with. It would be a nice way to bring his career full circle, and to begin the countdown until he is enshrined in Cooperstown.

Next: NL Central trade deadline preview

For now, ichiro Suzuki plans on playing in 2018. It is just difficult to imagine where the Miami Marlins outfielder would end up, unless he ends the season on a hot streak.