 |
View Old Forum Thread
Old Forum Index » Other Stuff » Sports Talk » Rumor: Ichiro wants out of Seattle
ShaggySanchez
DATELINE: In front of Bonds. The baseball off-season has gotten off to a very quiet start in Seattle. Too quiet.
Rumor has it Ichiro has grown tired of the Mariners' losing ways and wants out, but Seattle-area reporters aren't publicizing it because they like dealing with the Japanese hitting star on a daily basis. They're hoping the All-Star changes his mind before his request for a trade becomes a demand.
Believe it: The Mariners are accepting offers right now for the standout leadoff hitter, and the price is only going to go up if/when Ichiro's true feelings about wanting out become public, prompting more teams to get Bill Bavasi on the phone.
That's why it's imperative the Giants act quickly. Yes, the Giants.
Ichiro is a perfect fit for the West Bay club for many reasons.
His style of play (speed and defense) suits the National League. He would fill the leadoff spot, allowing Randy Winn to bat third. He would play a critical defensive position at SBC Park (right field). And he would be a hero to the Bay Area's huge Asian population.
Oh, one more thing: He'd be the bridge to a new brand of Giants baseball in 2007, the club's first without Barry Bonds.
What about Moises Alou, you say? Well ...
He either spends the next six months getting acquainted with a first baseman's glove or he (along with prospects such as Merkin Valdez and Marcus Sanders) is part of the package that's shipped north.
Rumor: Ichiro wants out of Seattle
November 04, 2005 at 08:42PM View BBCode
http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_3168307DATELINE: In front of Bonds. The baseball off-season has gotten off to a very quiet start in Seattle. Too quiet.
Rumor has it Ichiro has grown tired of the Mariners' losing ways and wants out, but Seattle-area reporters aren't publicizing it because they like dealing with the Japanese hitting star on a daily basis. They're hoping the All-Star changes his mind before his request for a trade becomes a demand.
Believe it: The Mariners are accepting offers right now for the standout leadoff hitter, and the price is only going to go up if/when Ichiro's true feelings about wanting out become public, prompting more teams to get Bill Bavasi on the phone.
That's why it's imperative the Giants act quickly. Yes, the Giants.
Ichiro is a perfect fit for the West Bay club for many reasons.
His style of play (speed and defense) suits the National League. He would fill the leadoff spot, allowing Randy Winn to bat third. He would play a critical defensive position at SBC Park (right field). And he would be a hero to the Bay Area's huge Asian population.
Oh, one more thing: He'd be the bridge to a new brand of Giants baseball in 2007, the club's first without Barry Bonds.
What about Moises Alou, you say? Well ...
He either spends the next six months getting acquainted with a first baseman's glove or he (along with prospects such as Merkin Valdez and Marcus Sanders) is part of the package that's shipped north.
FuriousGiorge
This says everything you need to know about the Giants.
November 04, 2005 at 08:45PM View BBCode
Originally posted by ShaggySanchez
allowing Randy Winn to bat third.
This says everything you need to know about the Giants.
ShaggySanchez
November 04, 2005 at 08:49PM View BBCode
Whiskey do you know if there is any truth to this.
Benne
November 04, 2005 at 09:08PM View BBCode
As the other resident Mariners fan here, I would like to believe this is not true, but knowing Bavasi, you never know. I'm keeping my fingers crossed...please, please don't trade Ichiro for fucking Moises Alou, of all people...
whiskybear
http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=ichiro18&date=20051018&query=Ichiro
If we can get value for him, I would not be opposed to sending Ichiro somewhere in a trade. But Bavasi is so incompetent that value is no foregone conclusion, and the Mariners will probably also consider the dollars and yen that Ichiro brings to the club every year. I'd be surprised to see him wearing another uniform next year.
November 04, 2005 at 09:11PM View BBCode
It doesn't surprise me, and the Seattle press has publicized it to a degree--the Seattle Times ran a story on how unhappy Ichiro was during this past season as the losses piled up. The article did stress that Japanese players are very loyal to their home clubs, citing as an example how Ichiro toiled with the Orix BlueWave and never asked for a trade. "Loyalty" I think is at best an assumption and at worst somewhat racist. It did specifically stress that Japanese players do not ask to be traded. It also suggests that Mike Hargrove doesn't buy into Ichiro's style of play. Here's a link (you may need to get a free Times registration to read it, but it's the most enlightening article you're likely to find on the subject):http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=ichiro18&date=20051018&query=Ichiro
If we can get value for him, I would not be opposed to sending Ichiro somewhere in a trade. But Bavasi is so incompetent that value is no foregone conclusion, and the Mariners will probably also consider the dollars and yen that Ichiro brings to the club every year. I'd be surprised to see him wearing another uniform next year.
yankeekid
November 04, 2005 at 10:52PM View BBCode
Well, I'm not gonna change the topic at all just a question. Who do you think has the best chance of getting him?
Smocko
In answer to your real question, we don't have nearly enough.
November 04, 2005 at 10:56PM View BBCode
Merkin Valdez is a very heralded sp prospect so if the Giants are willing to trade him that would be a pretty attractive package.In answer to your real question, we don't have nearly enough.
Isaiah4110
November 06, 2005 at 05:40AM View BBCode
That's right.... the Yanks could use someone in CF and Ichiro has good range right? Of course Ichiro doesn't take pitches often, which also fits the Yanks style of batting.....:lol:
ME
November 06, 2005 at 06:29AM View BBCode
Ichiro is overrated and his game revolves around his speed, and he's 32. If someone offer the Mariners a top prospect (there are GMs like Jim Bowden out there that would) they should take it in a heartbeat
Isaiah4110
November 06, 2005 at 07:04AM View BBCode
Awww, come on, he has a good arm and he hit .400 this year right? Give the guy some credit. He's destined for the HOF.
Duff77
November 06, 2005 at 07:15AM View BBCode
Ichrio does manage to score a substantial amount of runs in what is basically a crappy offense. He's a pretty darn good outfielder too. I wouldn't mind having him. Not a worthless player--just overhyped.
BrutusKhan
You can have Jermaine Dye & a top prospect.
He's perfect for the Sox style of play, but I doubt they are going to make any major moves on the South side of Chicago.
November 07, 2005 at 05:04PM View BBCode
Doesn't the guy bat like .800 w/ runners in scoring position? & play perfect defense? Send him to the White Sox.You can have Jermaine Dye & a top prospect.
He's perfect for the Sox style of play, but I doubt they are going to make any major moves on the South side of Chicago.
Smocko
November 07, 2005 at 05:34PM View BBCode
The Mariners would be fools not to take Brandon McCarthy for him, but Kenny Williams would equally be a fool to trade him. But, yeah, since Brutus wants to do that plus the World Series MVP, I guess he's the biggest fool here. :P
folifan19
I think if Ich can put 5 more seasons together like the 5 he's had, he should get into the HOF. 10 straight seasons of 200+ hits is pretty freakin' amazing. It's too bad he wasn't able to get over here and get a full career in MLB.
November 07, 2005 at 05:38PM View BBCode
Originally posted by Isaiah4110
Awww, come on, he has a good arm and he hit .400 this year right? Give the guy some credit. He's destined for the HOF.
I think if Ich can put 5 more seasons together like the 5 he's had, he should get into the HOF. 10 straight seasons of 200+ hits is pretty freakin' amazing. It's too bad he wasn't able to get over here and get a full career in MLB.
BrutusKhan
Now, given that, anybody the White Sox trade for that fits their team style, is going to look like a bad trade, as given by the reaction most had to the Podsednik/Lee trade. But Ichiro is a Hall of Fame, super-god in my opinion, and doesn't get any credit playing for that group of bums up in Seatle. I think he'd be best as a 3rd hitter, given the age & stage he is at in his career. But, look at his stats within runners on, and he'd be a great 3rd hitter, imo. And whatever it took to get a unique player like him might be worth it if it translates into another deep post-season run.
PS IF I were in Seatle, demand all you want, I wouldn't trade him. Then again, look what they got for Randy by trading him at the right time, as opposed to A-Rod, nothing & Griffey, being limited to one team to deal with. The folks in Seatle might be a little gun shy.
November 07, 2005 at 06:55PM View BBCode
Well, trading McCarthy would be foolish. The Sox have other top rated prospects, including a couple of outfielders. I wouldn't give McCarthy for anybody in the game(I'm taking into account salary, years he could pitch for you, etc). He's one of the best looking young pitchers I've seen since I watched Tim Hudson come up. Granted, there are guys you may think of that are better, been better & going to be better, just not to me. This kid shut down Texas, Boston & Cleveland at crucial times while they were hot, and in Spring Training, numerous scouts said he wasn't the best looking pitching prospect in Arizona, he was the best looking pitcher.Now, given that, anybody the White Sox trade for that fits their team style, is going to look like a bad trade, as given by the reaction most had to the Podsednik/Lee trade. But Ichiro is a Hall of Fame, super-god in my opinion, and doesn't get any credit playing for that group of bums up in Seatle. I think he'd be best as a 3rd hitter, given the age & stage he is at in his career. But, look at his stats within runners on, and he'd be a great 3rd hitter, imo. And whatever it took to get a unique player like him might be worth it if it translates into another deep post-season run.
PS IF I were in Seatle, demand all you want, I wouldn't trade him. Then again, look what they got for Randy by trading him at the right time, as opposed to A-Rod, nothing & Griffey, being limited to one team to deal with. The folks in Seatle might be a little gun shy.
Beringer
November 11, 2005 at 04:51AM View BBCode
The Giants don't want him - he hasn't turned 60 yet. But in 30 years or so, they'll be ready to deal!!
whiskybear
The Griffey trade netted us two prospects, Brett Tomko, and an everyday centerfielder for four years. His name is Mike Cameron, and he is every bit the equal of Ichiro defensively. Given Griffey's injury woes and Cameron's adequate offensive performance in his years with Seattle (and the fact we weren't paying him a Griffey-sized salary), I'd rate that deal one of the best in our history.
November 11, 2005 at 07:59AM View BBCode
Originally posted by BrutusKhan
... & Griffey, being limited to one team to deal with.
The Griffey trade netted us two prospects, Brett Tomko, and an everyday centerfielder for four years. His name is Mike Cameron, and he is every bit the equal of Ichiro defensively. Given Griffey's injury woes and Cameron's adequate offensive performance in his years with Seattle (and the fact we weren't paying him a Griffey-sized salary), I'd rate that deal one of the best in our history.
BrutusKhan
However, I realize that Seatle got the better end of the deal, especially if you take into account the money they saved not giving Griffey that money, which probably lead them to being able to go after & get Ichiro when he first became available.
I just meant they did get burned by Griffey not allowing them to negotiate with anybody but the Reds, so a team might be inclined to pursue a trade while the return would be at its highest. If Griffey went off and stayed healthy, as he was in Seatle, odds are he would have hit 40 plus homers, batted above .280, and played as good of defense as Cameron. The trade wouldn't have looked so nice then.
November 11, 2005 at 04:26PM View BBCode
Well, the Griffey trade only worked out well if you compare it to what Griffey did after the trade, not to what they got in return for his value. If I told you we are going to trade a guy supposed to make a run at being one of the greatest of all time, and all we are going to get back is Mike Cameron & a prospect, you'd go nuts. I love Mike Cameron, and feel he was way underrated, but at the time of that deal, Griffey was a demi-god.However, I realize that Seatle got the better end of the deal, especially if you take into account the money they saved not giving Griffey that money, which probably lead them to being able to go after & get Ichiro when he first became available.
I just meant they did get burned by Griffey not allowing them to negotiate with anybody but the Reds, so a team might be inclined to pursue a trade while the return would be at its highest. If Griffey went off and stayed healthy, as he was in Seatle, odds are he would have hit 40 plus homers, batted above .280, and played as good of defense as Cameron. The trade wouldn't have looked so nice then.
ME
November 11, 2005 at 05:18PM View BBCode
Jim Bowden was the Reds GM at the time, and wouldn't even offer a top prospect by the name of Pokey Reese.
kujayhawks15
He worked out well didn't he.
Actually, didn't he sign a contract with the Mariners last year, just was hurt all last year?
November 11, 2005 at 06:13PM View BBCode
Originally posted by ME
Jim Bowden was the Reds GM at the time, and wouldn't even offer a top prospect by the name of Pokey Reese.
He worked out well didn't he.
Actually, didn't he sign a contract with the Mariners last year, just was hurt all last year?
Benne
November 11, 2005 at 08:13PM View BBCode
He was signed as a temporary solution at SS and didn't make it out spring training before getting hurt. That position has been a merry-go-round since we traded Guillen...
whiskybear
November 11, 2005 at 10:34PM View BBCode
Letting Guillen go (and replacing him with Rich Aurilia) is one of the all-time worst decisions this organization ever made. I don't understand why it didn't receive more press at the time -- I'd been expecting him to bust out since 2002.
whiskybear
November 11, 2005 at 10:42PM View BBCode
Yuniesky Betancourt has been my favorite. At least he hit .200, and doesn't have hands made out of succulent beef brisket, like Morse.Pages: 1 2