Originally published July 13, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified July 19, 2007 at 4:08 PM

Mariners, Ichiro agree to contract extension

The Mariners have signed center fielder Ichiro to a five-year contract extension.

Seattle Times staff

The Mariners have signed center fielder Ichiro to a five-year contract extension.

The deal, which runs through the 2012 season, is for $90 million, according to The Associated Press, but could be worth close to $100 million in total value, sources said.

Ichiro, 33, is hitting .355 with five home runs, 39 RBI and 23 stolen bases. He was named MVP of the All-Star Game this week, after going 3 for 3 and hitting the first inside-the-park home run in All-Star history.

"Now, I have the opportunity to be on one team for a long time. And I am grateful for that," Ichiro said at a news conference this afternoon. "I'm going to do my best to play 10 more years here."

Bill Bavasi, the Mariners' general manager, said it was important for the team to lock up its star.

"One thing we have made clear since spring training was that it was our goal to have Ichiro play his entire career in Seattle, retire as a Mariner and go into the Hall of Fame in our cap," Bavasi said in a statement released by the team.

"While I don't believe this is Ichiro's final contract, I do think today's signing is a big step in assuring he will spend his entire career here in Seattle."

Ichiro will be nearly 39 at the end of the 2012 season.

"It's a great feeling to know I get to write his name in the leadoff spot every day," Mariners manager John McLaren said. "He's the guy that makes our team go. His preparation, dedication and desire to win are a joy for me to watch."

Ichiro signed a four-year, $41 million contract before the 2004 season that will pay him $11 million this season.

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