BREAKING: Former Mets GM Admits Regret About Ichiro Suzuki
The New York Mets returned to the postseason for the first time since 2022, finishing the season with an 89-73 record and securing second place in the National League East.
Following an offseason highlighted by the blockbuster acquisition of star free agent Juan Soto from the New York Yankees, Mets fans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic about the 2025 season.
The offseason also saw numerous players change teams, and the Baseball Hall of Fame revealed its 2025 class. Ichiro Suzuki, a first-ballot inductee, narrowly missed a unanimous selection by just one vote.
Former Mets GM Steve Phillips reflected on a missed opportunity with Suzuki back in 2001, expressing regret over being unable to secure additional funds from ownership to sign him. “Some level of regret that I couldn’t convince ownership for a couple million more dollars,” Phillips shared via MLB Network on ‘X.’ At the time, the Mets had about $11 million available, while Suzuki signed with the Seattle Mariners for approximately $13 million.
Suzuki went on to have an extraordinary career, leaving Phillips to wonder what might have been if the Mets had successfully brought him to New York. Suzuki played 19 MLB seasons with three teams, finishing with a .311 batting average, 3,089 hits, 117 home runs, 780 RBIs, 1,080 stolen bases, and a .757 OPS.
.@StevePhillipsGM and the Mets were in the mix for Ichiro when he was posted prior to the 2001 season 😳 pic.twitter.com/il5J8g530T
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) January 26, 2025
Notably, Suzuki recorded over 200 hits in each of his first 10 MLB seasons and claimed both the MVP and Rookie of the Year honors in 2001 with the Mariners. His legacy as one of baseball’s all-time greats remains undeniable.