Should Ichiro be in Seattle?
Maybe not.
The Mariners stunk in '08. Ichiro got a huge contract last year that keeps him in Seattle for many years. I believe he is well past his prime.
George Sisler had 257 hits in 1920. That record stood until September of 2004, when Seattle's Japanese import hit his 257th. He had won MVP and Rookie of the Year just three years before. Pitchers couldn't strike him out, and he was almost a guaranteed hit.
Well, that guarantee seems to have run out.
There are a couple of teams that could use Ichiro's skill, but the front-runner in my opinion is the Cubs. Should the Mariners try to trade their skilled leadoff hitter, they most likely won't be getting big name Cubs, such as Rich Harden, Derrek Lee, or Alfonso Soriano. They will have to settle for prospects.
But for a team that needs desperately to rebuild, that's not that bad.
Trading Ichiro to the Yankees would be a mistake. The Yanks don't have the type of prospects in their farm system that would make the trade worthwhile.
It's up to you. Where does Ichiro belong?
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about 1 month ago
I'm not a believer in trading your best players just because your team will rebuild, but I do believe it's a good solution with a salary like Ichiro's.
The guy is aging, but still has high value. On a team with as many huge contracts as the Mariners, cutting salary is necessary.
from about 1 month ago
Where do you think he should go?
from about 1 month ago
Depends on what other teams are willing to give up for him and who could afford them. I could see him being traded to the White Sox, Cubs, Cardinals, Dodgers, Red Sox, and maybe the Giants.
from about 1 month ago
Go Celtics!
about 1 month ago
The M's situation with Ichiro seems pretty similar to the situation the Giants and Rangers had with Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez, respectively. While he makes us a better team, we need to come out of his superstar shadow before his contract weighs us down even more, and we can rebuild with prospects. Cutting salary isnt the biggest obstacle for the M's, its their lack of overall talent in the system. You have to trade talent to get talent, but outside of Ichiro, Adrian Beltre, and J.J. Putz the M's have few tradeable pieces.
The Yankees prospects are overhyped by the media, but also im not quite sold on who the Cubs have to trade. Outside of Michah Hoffpaiur, no names really jump out at me.
from about 1 month ago
We could trade Silva, but we should let him have a good season first. I would like to see Ichiro and Beltre go together.
about 1 month ago
hoffpauir is 29, we shouldn't go after him.
Josh Kroeger, Reed Johnson are good guys to pursue.
If he goes to a team like the white sox the Mariners should hit it hard after guys like Alexia Ramirez and the 19-year old cuban third baseman they recently picked up. Josh Fields might be a possibility.
The dodgers would also be a nice western coast team, if they trade him there they should trade him for Eithier and Loney.
I would love that trade.
The Red Sox would only be interested in him if the Yankees go after him. But they definetly have the prospects for him.
from about 1 month ago
Kroger is also too old to be a prospect, hes 26. Johnson is a nice player, but he's a platoon player and I believe hes over 30, I dont think we need a Jeremy Reed clone.
The amount of value we get in a trade of Ichiro depends on how much we're willing to pay of his massive contract. The Dodgers refused to pay any of Manny Ramirez's contract, so i doubt they would take on Ichiro's contract. The Red Sox have good prospects, but Theo Epstien is looking for a 4th outfielder, not a $20 million per year right fielder. J.D Drew is already making $15 million a year, and they traded Coco Crisp so Jacoby Ellsbury could be the leadoff hitter and play full time.
The White Sox might be a fit, but by the sounds of it they are looking to rebuild, so I dont think they are thinking about trading young stars for an aging player.
from about 1 month ago
What about the Cardinals? they have prospects. Ludwick, Pujols, Glaus, and Ichiro would be a great team for them. Plus they have molina, and ankiel. They need a guy like ichiro to put them over the top.
from about 1 month ago
I like Alexia Ramirez and do the Dodgers really need another overated outfielder???
about 1 month ago
Cardinals sound cool...I like their system, and I know the trade to them would benifit the M's, but would it benifit the Cards enough that they'd make the trade?
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