New York, NY

Ichiro Suzuki will get $2 million less in returning to the New York Yankees for the the next two seasons.

A deal will be likely finalized Friday that will give Susuki a two-year deal worth $13million.

Susuki, who turned 39 on Oct. 22, needs to pass a physical before the deal becomes official.

The source added that Suzuki is also was being courted by two other teams, both of which were offering more money than the Yankees. One of the teams was said to be the Philadelphia Phillies, who were offering $14 million for two years. The identity of the other team is unknown, but the offer was supposedly $15 million for two years.

"Ichiro really enjoyed playing in New York last year," the source said. "And he really wanted to come back." The source added that Susuki's agent, Tony Attanasio, told the Yankees that Susuki wanted to play for them and asked just for what is fair.

The Yankees acquired Ichiro from the Seattle Mariners just before the July 31 trade deadline for minor-league pitchers D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar. He seemed rejuvenated after joining the Yankees. In 67 games for New York, he batted .322 with a .388 OBP and 14 stolen bases.

Susuki is expected to replace Nick Swisher, a free agent not expected to return to New York, in the right field, although he also can play center in the event the Yankees trade Curtis Granderson.

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