MLB Trade Rumors: NY Yankees Look to Dump Ichiro Suzuki; Willing to Pay Portion of $6.5 Million

The New York Yankees are reportedly ready to part ways with veteran hitter Ichiro Suzuki, as the team's front office reportedly expressed their willingness to pay a portion of the player's paycheck in an attempt to attract a potential buyer in a trade.

According to CBS Sports baseball insider Jon Heyman, the Yankees could trade Suzuki and pay a portion of his $6.5 million salary with the right deal. The Pinstripes are searching for quality prospects in exchange for the 40-year-old Suzuki, who is entering perhaps his final season as a professional baseball player.

"The Yankees would seek to receive a good prospect back but are said by rival executives amenable to paying down a portion of his $6.5 million salary under those circumstances," Heyman reported.

With Carlos Beltran, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner likely the starting outfielders and Alfonso Soriano playing better this spring, the Yankees could not offer Suzuki anything better than a limited backup role.

"The Yankees also have Alfonso Soriano, who's looked very good this spring -- 'better than before,' one scout said -- so Ichiro, the international icon, would have an unusually limited role," wrote Heyman. 

Meanwhile, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has not confirmed the trade rumors, as he believes Suzuki could provide an option as the team's fourth outfielder.

"He's a great defender and he can steal a base. He provides us with options," Cashman said of Suzuki, who batted .262 with seven home runs and a .639 OPS last season.

Suzuki, who is hitting .225 during spring training, has been linked to several trade scenarios ever since the Yankees acquired Ellsbury and Beltran, and re-signed Gardner.

There are rumors that the Yankees are exploring a trade that would send Suzuki to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who have also seen his numbers decline over the past two seasons.