Yankees’ potential target is still committed to playing in MLB despite lockout

Despite the fact that there was no collective bargaining agreement (CBA) before the league-imposed February 28 deadline (later pushed back to March 1), potential New York Yankees and Mets target Seiya Suzuki remains committed to playing in the major leagues and not in his native Japan, according to The Athletic’s Andrew Baggarly.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, MLB agreed to freeze Sukuki’s 30-day signing window until there is a new CBA deal in place, which may or may not happen soon and depends entirely on negotiations between the league and the Players Association.

Commissioner Rob Manfred has already cancelled the first two series of the season and, if there is no agreement soon, more games could taken off the calendar. The Yankees, like every other team in MLB, are working on schedule changes and ticket policies after recent news.

Suzuki wants to play at the highest level, could the Yankees sign him?

Baggarly said Suzuki, a potential fit in the Yankees’ outfield if they decide to splash the cash after the lockout, is all-in on joining the majors.

“Seiya Suzuki’s agent, Joel Wolfe, tells me the Hiroshima Carp star outfielder isn’t reevaluating coming to MLB based on (Tuesday’s) news that games will be cancelled: ‘Seiya is 100% committed to playing in MLB this year. He’s shown remarkable patience and resolve,’” he wrote.

Indeed, Suzuki may opt to stay in Japan if the season is called off, but as of now, he is still in waiting mode because he wants to play in America.

Per NJ Advance Media and Japan’s Nikkan Sports, “the Padres, Cubs, Mariners and Giants are ‘expected’ to be among the finalists for Suzuki once negotiations resume. … The Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays … have all been linked to Suzuki as well, however, and Yahoo Japan suggests the Red Sox could be an early favorite.”

Suzuki, 27, hit.309 with 189 homers, 621 RBI and a .943 OPS in 1,055 games in Nippon Professional Baseball.