SEATTLE - Ichiro Suzuki's agent expects to work out a long-term contract with the Mariners.
Suzuki, 30, completed the final season of a three-year contract that guaranteed him $14.1-million and is eligible for arbitration. He can't become a free agent until after the 2006 season.
"I get along exceptionally well with the executives of the club," agent Tony Attanasio said Wednesday. "Ichiro loves Seattle. He's thrilled to be there. We don't anticipate any problems with the negotiations."
Attanasio was quoted in Wednesday's Seattle Post-Intelligencer saying that if the Mariners took Suzuki to arbitration, he would never sign with Seattle.
The agent said the reaction to his comments was overblown and indicated that an arbitration hearing was only a remote possibility for the three-time All-Star outfielder, who was the AL MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2001.
ASTROS: Shortstop Adam Everett had surgery to repair torn cartilage in his right knee and is expected to be ready for spring training.
PIRATES: Right-hander Jason Boyd was claimed off waivers from the Indians, and infielder Jose Hernandez was waived.
RANGERS: Right-handed reliever Aaron Fultz, who appeared in 64 games this season, was one of four players who cleared waivers and was taken off the roster.
REDS: Right-hander Jose Acevedo had surgery to remove a bone in the back of his left foot, the result of an ankle sprain. He is expected to recover by spring training.
TIGERS: Five players were sent outright to Triple-A Toledo: catcher A.J. Hinch, infielders Danny Klassen, Warren Morris and Kevin Witt and right-hander Brian Schmack. Detroit also reinstated infielders Eric Munson and Dean Palmer from the disabled list to the major-league roster.
DiMAGGIO LAWSUIT: The company owned by Joe DiMaggio's heirs sued a Texas-based ring company, claiming it made a Joe DiMaggio commemorative ring without getting permission to use his name. The suit, filed in Florida Circuit Court in Fort Lauderdale against Commemorative Brands, the parent company of Balfour Ring Co., seeks unspecified damages.
