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Seattle signs Suzuki through 2012 season

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From the Associated Press

Ichiro Suzuki of the Seattle Mariners signed a five-year, $90-million contract extension Friday, three days after he was the unanimous most valuable player of the All-Star game.

The deal ensures that Seattle will not lose its franchise cornerstone to free agency this fall. Instead, the Mariners will keep the seven-time All-Star and perennial Gold Glove outfielder under contract through the 2012 season.

Suzuki led the majors with 128 hits going into Friday night’s game against Detroit. He was batting .355 with five home runs and 39 runs batted in, and had stolen 23 bases.

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The contract contains a $5-million signing bonus and base salaries of $17 million for each season from 2008 to 2012, with part of the money deferred.

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New York Yankees slugger Jason Giambi met with George Mitchell, becoming the first active player known to have talked with baseball’s steroids investigator. Commissioner Bud Selig announced the meeting but released no details other than who attended. Selig was not present.

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San Francisco Giants General Manager Brian Sabean agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension, a deal that also includes a club option for the 2010 season.... The Colorado Rockies put left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes, who has a mild back strain, on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 4.... Rickey Henderson was named first base coach for the New York Mets, and Howard Johnson was promoted to hitting coach.

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