I love it. The Yanks tonight traded two B-Level minor leaguers for future HOF player Ichiro Suzuki. Ichiro is batting 8th and playing RF tonight, and will switch to LF once Swish is healthy. Things could change in the future. Ichiro has a better arm than Swish, so…
I LOVE the deal. I’m a bit prejudiced, since for years Ichiro has been my favorite non-Yankee player. With Gardner out for the year, Ichiro, even at age 38, provides the speed (438 career SB) and defense (10 Gold Gloves) that the Yanks were missing with Gardner. As for his throwing arm, Ichiro has a rocket.
Ichiro was .261-4-28, 15 sB this year, OPS+ 83. The BA is 60 points below his career average of .322. But he was having to carry the Mariners in a pitcher’s park. How bad are the M’s? Ichiro was batting 3rd after leading off his whole career. Tonight for the Yanks? He’s batting 8th.
He’s in the last year of his deal, and could just be a three-month rental. But for him, the Yanks gave up just two B-Level prospects. D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar. No A-level prospects.
I love it. He gives what I advocated for in Pierre a while back. Only he’s better than Pierre (I didn’t think Suzuki would be available.).
What do YOU think?
Batting him 8th. What a dang insult.
First game with team. Things may change. Where would you hit him? 1st, with Jeter 2nd and drop Grandy? Keep Jeter 1st with Ichiro 2nd? Where do you bat Grandy then? Just wondering.
I love it too! If he really starts ripping the ball, they may move him, but, as a straight Gardner replacement, the 8 hole is fine. What game at the Stadium did he go for power and jack two in the porch?
I don’t know if I was at that one, Robert, but I was at one a few years ago where Ichiro hit a frozen rope of a HR off of Wang.
I think it was the same game that Branyan hit the restaurant!
Love it! Smart move and cheap. Even if it is a 3 month rental its a great move. But in the future, he could be your back-up outfielder and probably be able to play all three positions and DH. Hes got at least two good years left. Good move. Would be nice to see him hit 300o at Yankee stadium.
I am also happy they got Ichiro and for him to not demand #51 and show the respect for Bernie that tells me what i need to know, He will fit in fine and provide some days off for Raul and Andruw i love the deal. Besides they didn’t panic and trade for a Phillie we don’t need their type on this squad.