Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
18. Esoteric
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:26 PM (#4190131)
I hate this. Even though Ichiro is really not that good anymore and the M's managed to get something for him instead of, well, nothing whatsoever...I still hate this.
WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THE YANKEES.
19. Dale Sams
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:27 PM (#4190133)
Interesting. Might be better than any of the other stop gap options available. Yanks could have muddled through with Jones & Ibanez but both are better suited to mostly DH, and they'd be pretty thin with another outfield injury. This probably also confirms that the Yanks are not optimistic about getting Gardner back thIs year.
I don't get why the Mariners are trading for Farquhar. He's been claimed off waivers twice this season and they could have had him either time.
I assume they're trading for him because they're not actually getting anything in return for Ichiro, and Farquhar was the replacement level pitcher they liked best off the list of replacement level pitchers the Yankees offered them.
My reaction to this trade so far is three parts WHAT THE ####-AROO and one part Eso's reaction.
As a Yanks fan this strikes me as neither great nor terrible (he'll be taking ABs from Chavez, Ibanez, Wise: not so good; he'll be taking defensive innings from Wise, Jones, Ibanez--not so bad.)
Maybe they did this to bolster attendance at DNYS.....
It's a stop gap... A warm body with some pedigree who can man one of the corner spots for DJ Mitchell and some guy I've never heard of... It's a heck of a lot better an option than have to give up a frontline prospect or two.
32. Yeaarrgghhhh
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:35 PM (#4190155)
He does have good numbers in Yankee Stadium. that could be a factor.
33. Esoteric
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:35 PM (#4190156)
Oh come on...it's at least KIND OF funny.
Oof. Fair play, that.
And you know what? You're right. In a grim "guaranteed to sicken the hearts of all Mariners fans everywhere" way, it IS pretty funny.
One of my coworkers turned around to me and said, "The Yankees got Ichiro". And I said "Yeah, they'll see him tonight in Seattle". I also have never been so surprised by a trade.
This is going to be an awkward for the casual fan who is just chilling at work in Seattle right now with tickets tonight.
It might actually be pretty cool, since these next 3 games might be the last ones Ichiro ever plays in Seattle. I'll probably go to at least one of these.
37. Spahn Insane
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:39 PM (#4190162)
The Mariners say Ichiro approached them about a trade. So Ichiro is a Yankee, because he wanted to.
Heh.
38. Randy Jones
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:39 PM (#4190163)
I don't like this trade at all. Ichiro just better be batting at the bottom of the lineup.
To be clear, they didn't give up anything, so don't care in that regard, just don't want Ichiro at the top of the lineup making outs.
he'll be taking defensive innings from Wise, Jones, Ibanez--not so bad.
Taking defensive innings from Ibanez: good
Taking defensive innings from Jones: possibly ok
Taking defensive innings from Wise: very bad
39. Squash
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:40 PM (#4190164)
I came here kind of expecting BBTF to be gone and a roaring flame GIF in its place.
As a Red Sox fan I love this. (Even though I do think he'll have a bit of an offensive renaissance in NY.)
44. robinred
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:45 PM (#4190174)
Seems reasonable as a baseball move for the Mariners, but I am still very surprised Z did it. It is sort of like if the Padres had traded Tony Gwynn when he was 40.
Also, since the Yankees don't have names on their jerseys, I'm glad Mr. Suzuki won't have his first (given) name on his jersey instead of his last (family) name like every other player.
If you're an Ichiro fan you have to be pleased with this deal too.
As an Ichiro fan, I can understand why he'd want to get the hell out of Seattle, why he'd want to play for a contender again, and why being a Yankees for a few months might have a special cache.
But as an Ichiro fan and a Yankee hater, I also recognize that Ichiro's gloriously anarchic spirit is a terrible fit for the young fascists of america conformity demanded by the Yankee organization, and I'll be sad to see him wear their uniform.
49. Guapo
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:49 PM (#4190182)
I think this is conclusive proof that George Steinbrenner is actually alive and well and still running the Yankees.
50. bunyon
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:49 PM (#4190183)
I wonder if Cashman has bet the Yanks to not make the playoffs?
Anyway, mark me down as also very, very surprised.
EDIT: another conspiracy possibility - Penn State paid the two teams to do this to chip into their news cycle. Or, perhaps, Romney or Obama.
I dunno, could even be aliens. But, something is very off.
51. Steve Treder
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:50 PM (#4190185)
Ichiro could have his last name on his jersey if he wanted to.
It is sort of like if the Padres had traded Tony Gwynn when he was 40.
Yeah, that is a pretty good analogy. I guess Ichiro wants a ring?
53. andrewberg
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:50 PM (#4190187)
The rare trade that disappoints everyone.
I know there is a lot of sentimentality, but this is a good trade for the Mariners, both in terms of opening up playing time for guys who might be part of the next good Seattle team, and in showing that Z can make decisions.
Seems reasonable as a baseball move for the Mariners, but I am still very surprised Z did it. It is sort of like if the Padres had traded Tony Gwynn when he was 40.
Gwynn could actually still hit at 40, just couldn't stay healthy/ in the lineup
59. Guapo
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:56 PM (#4190196)
I think the Yankees probably got themselves the most famous right fielder in the league.
They traded for Francoeur?!
60. PreservedFish
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 05:58 PM (#4190197)
Holy crap. I think this is kind of awesome. I hate the Yankees, but I love Ichiro. Ichiro being terrible for the Yankees is fine news, but Ichiro revitalizing his career in NYC is an undeniably terrific story.
61. PreservedFish
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:00 PM (#4190199)
So I guess we'll find out if Ichiro is toast or was just board. I'm betting on board.
He could be an important plank for the Yankees to build the edifice of their postseason dreams upon.
62. Shoebo
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:02 PM (#4190202)
The Orioles rejoice
63. Cowboy Popup
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:04 PM (#4190204)
Mitchell is actually semi-useful. And they traded him for someone just as good as Dewayne Wise (Rest of the season ZIPs for Wise: .292 RC+; Rest of the season ZIPs for Ichiro: .289 RC+). What a waste.
64. UCCF
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:04 PM (#4190205)
If I had guessed a thousand potential baseball trades today, this wouldn't have even sniffed my brain. The only thing that might make this weirder would be if it were an Ichiro-for-Jeter swap.
Mitchell is actually semi-useful. And they traded him for someone just as good as Dewayne Wise (Rest of the season ZIPs for Wise: .292 RC+; Rest of the season ZIPs for Ichiro: .289 RC+). What a waste.
You get to root for Ichiro!
66. PreservedFish
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:06 PM (#4190208)
Yeah, this reminds me of Giambi/Mabry and Francoeur to the Mets, just for the weirdness factor.
If there is any way to bet that Ichiro! hits at least .320 the rest of the year, I am getting all the money I can find on that ############.
68. rlc
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:09 PM (#4190212)
Ichiro could have his last name on his jersey if he wanted to.
Meh, he's had his last name on his jersey for years. He could have his family name and a motorcycle endorsement on those pinstriped rags if he wanted to.
69. Cowboy Popup
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:09 PM (#4190214)
Dude, you get to root for Ichiro.
I guess. But he's 39 and is really only a pinch runner/defensive sub at this point in his career. It's not the same as rooting for Ichiro!
I don't think it's quite as weird as the Padres trading Gwynn would be, since A) Gwynn was actually from San Diego, making him even more of a hometown hero, and B) if I recall correctly, Gwynn was not one of the highest-paid players around when he was well past his prime, as Ichiro has become, so SD would have had less financial need to move him.
But yes, it certainly is quite shocking. I guess the Mariners felt they were between Scylla and Charybdis¹, as they could either let Ichiro go and take crap for being both cheap and heartless, or keep him around and have a potential repeat of the Ken Griffey '10 debacle where they simply cannot even pretend to carry the "legend" as a player on the roster any longer. I assume they'll still take some crap for this, but it should be more muted since Ichiro gets to go for a ring and I suppose MITCHELL! could be worth something.
¹ Although really, a mariner should relish this challenge.
76. Tom Nawrocki
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:15 PM (#4190225)
It's difficult to see someone who has been my favorite player for a decade go, but if this gives him a chance to play in a World Series, then I'm glad for him. I've got tickets for tomorrow night's game. If he plays, he'll be getting a standing ovation from me when he comes to bat.
81. PepTech
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:19 PM (#4190231)
My office is taking us all on Wednesday. Great timing!
The translation is finally on - sounds like Ichiro! reads BBTF. "This team has plenty of players in their mid-20s who need to play and I realized I shouldn't be on this team next year."
82. Guapo
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4190232)
Breaking News: An extremely annoyed Eric Wedge is currently trying to come up with a whole new set of signs for tonight's game
83. Guapo
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:21 PM (#4190234)
With Jeter, A-rod, and now Ichiro, I wonder where the 2012 Yankees might rank on the team career hits list? Near the top, I'd think since they have a few other veterans (Tex, Jones) with decent totals.
Ichiro is, of course, very cool, but he's also pretty terrible now. Not sure why the Yanks wanted him as there had to be better, though admittedly less famous options. This seems like a baseball card trade.
90. Brian C
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:30 PM (#4190248)
What this actually reminds me of is when Cashman put in that waiver claim on Canseco. And suddenly, Canseco was a Yankee and no one really knew why.
91. TerpNats
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:30 PM (#4190249)
So how does "the Yankees DFA'd Wise to make room for Ichiro!" rank on that scale?
Three years to the day that DeWayne made da catch for da Sox to save Buehrle's perfecto.
92. Tom Nawrocki
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:30 PM (#4190250)
Girardi said that he'll play LF.
That makes almost as much sense as having Ichiro play LF.
That was awesome. Harold Reynolds asked a stupid question about the Japanese media in NYC, and Ichiro! said "I don't think we have time for useless questions like that."
#87 http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1928.shtml I expect is close
99. catomi01
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:46 PM (#4190268)
That was awesome. Harold Reynolds asked a stupid question about the Japanese media in NYC, and Ichiro! said "I don't think we have time for useless questions like that."
I'm at work, so I'm not watching, but if that was the actual quote, Ichiro is now my favorite yankee.
100. phredbird
Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:46 PM (#4190269)
That was awesome. Harold Reynolds asked a stupid question about the Japanese media in NYC, and Ichiro! said "I don't think we have time for useless questions like that."
seriously? i am now fervently rooting for a NYY-LAD WS.
Reader Comments and Retorts
Go to end of page
Statements posted here are those of our readers and do not represent the BaseballThinkFactory. Names are provided by the poster and are not verified. We ask that posters follow our submission policy. Please report any inappropriate comments.
If true I am actually quite stunned. Good on Jack Z and M's ownership for having the stones to do this.
So Ichiro leadoff and Jeter #2 ... I'm not sure that's good for the Yanks lineup.
Seriously...MLB.TV is reporting it as if the Yanks are just borrowing the lawn mower, while I'm going WHAT THE ####????
I was not expecting that.
WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THE YANKEES.
Is he 3 feet tall with a magic mirror?
I'll believe that lineup card when I see it. Even with Ichiro on the roster, Joe's not moving Jeter out of the leadoff spot.
If his name wasn't Ichiro he wouldn't even be starting, much less traded for prospects.
Oh come on...it's at least KIND OF funny.
My reaction to this trade so far is three parts WHAT THE ####-AROO and one part Eso's reaction.
Maybe they did this to bolster attendance at DNYS.....
And you know what? You're right. In a grim "guaranteed to sicken the hearts of all Mariners fans everywhere" way, it IS pretty funny.
It might actually be pretty cool, since these next 3 games might be the last ones Ichiro ever plays in Seattle. I'll probably go to at least one of these.
Heh.
To be clear, they didn't give up anything, so don't care in that regard, just don't want Ichiro at the top of the lineup making outs.
Taking defensive innings from Ibanez: good
Taking defensive innings from Jones: possibly ok
Taking defensive innings from Wise: very bad
I really hate the ####### Yankees. Of course Ichiro's hitting .330 the rest of the summer. Vegas probably won't even take odds on that.
Old.
If you're an Ichiro fan you have to be pleased with this deal too.
Also, since the Yankees don't have names on their jerseys, I'm glad Mr. Suzuki won't have his first (given) name on his jersey instead of his last (family) name like every other player.
But as an Ichiro fan and a Yankee hater, I also recognize that Ichiro's gloriously anarchic spirit is a terrible fit for the young fascists of america conformity demanded by the Yankee organization, and I'll be sad to see him wear their uniform.
Anyway, mark me down as also very, very surprised.
EDIT: another conspiracy possibility - Penn State paid the two teams to do this to chip into their news cycle. Or, perhaps, Romney or Obama.
I dunno, could even be aliens. But, something is very off.
Yeah, that is a pretty good analogy. I guess Ichiro wants a ring?
I know there is a lot of sentimentality, but this is a good trade for the Mariners, both in terms of opening up playing time for guys who might be part of the next good Seattle team, and in showing that Z can make decisions.
Gwynn could actually still hit at 40, just couldn't stay healthy/ in the lineup
They traded for Francoeur?!
He could be an important plank for the Yankees to build the edifice of their postseason dreams upon.
Meh, he's had his last name on his jersey for years. He could have his family name and a motorcycle endorsement on those pinstriped rags if he wanted to.
I guess. But he's 39 and is really only a pinch runner/defensive sub at this point in his career. It's not the same as rooting for Ichiro!
So how does "the Yankees DFA'd Wise to make room for Ichiro!" rank on that scale?
But yes, it certainly is quite shocking. I guess the Mariners felt they were between Scylla and Charybdis¹, as they could either let Ichiro go and take crap for being both cheap and heartless, or keep him around and have a potential repeat of the Ken Griffey '10 debacle where they simply cannot even pretend to carry the "legend" as a player on the roster any longer. I assume they'll still take some crap for this, but it should be more muted since Ichiro gets to go for a ring and I suppose MITCHELL! could be worth something.
¹ Although really, a mariner should relish this challenge.
What's next - Mariano to WA for J Werth? Josh Hamilton to CO for Tuloy?
And how do ya pronounce Ichiro in the Bronx???
The translation is finally on - sounds like Ichiro! reads BBTF. "This team has plenty of players in their mid-20s who need to play and I realized I shouldn't be on this team next year."
That makes almost as much sense as having Ichiro play LF.
Yankee Stadium LF of course used to be much more expansive than RF, but I don't think that's a big factor anymore.¹
¹ Now the entire stadium is simply DISGRACEFUL.
That's a good piece of business.
I'm at work, so I'm not watching, but if that was the actual quote, Ichiro is now my favorite yankee.
seriously? i am now fervently rooting for a NYY-LAD WS.
You must be Registered and Logged In to post comments.
<< Back to main