TOKYO (Reuters) - Japan Series-winning short-stop Munenori Kawasaki filed for free agency on Thursday, saying he wanted to switch to Major League Baseball but only if he can play with Ichiro Suzuki in Seattle.

Kawasaki, who also helped Japan win back-to-back World Baseball Classic titles in 2006 and 2009, said he would even play in the minor leagues as long as it was for the Mariners club.

“I am only thinking about playing for the same team as Ichiro,” the Softbank Hawks short-stop told a news conference in Fukuoka, south-west Japan.

“I will accept a minor-league deal but I will refuse offers from other clubs,” added the 30-year-old.

Kawasaki batted .267 with 161 hits in 141 games to help the Fukuoka-based Hawks win their first Japan Series title in eight years.