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Monday, July 23, 2012

Holy Crap Ichiro is a Yankee

Oh, the actual sourcing and news and stuff: - it’s via Jack Curry at YES.

The Yankees have acquired Ichiro Suzuki for RHPs DJ Mitchell and Danny Fahrquar, a source said. Yanks also get undisclosed cash in deal.

Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:13 PM | 195 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: ichiro, mariners, trades, yankees

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1. Dan Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:15 PM (#4190106)

I just saw this somewhere else....what the ####...?

2. Rowland Office Supplies Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:16 PM (#4190107)

Cancel the puke bucket for Mr. Buhner.

3. Avoid running at all times.-S. Paige Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:17 PM (#4190110)

He seems to be over the hill but I'm still psyched. Ichiro!

4. Walt Davis Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:17 PM (#4190111)

I'll believe this when I see it confirmed.

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.

5. TerpNats Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:19 PM (#4190116)

If Jack Z. is an ex-Mariners GM tomorrow morning, we'll know why.

6. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:19 PM (#4190117)

Human sacrifice, dogs and cats living together... mass hysteria!

7. Blastin Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4190118)

This is going to be an awkward for the casual fan who is just chilling at work in Seattle right now with tickets tonight.

8. Swedish Chef Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4190119)

So it was true, they were in on everyone...

9. Dale Sams Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4190120)

If true I am actually quite stunned

Seriously...MLB.TV is reporting it as if the Yanks are just borrowing the lawn mower, while I'm going WHAT THE ####????

10. tshipman

Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:20 PM (#4190121)

What the actual ####?

11. JJ1986 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:22 PM (#4190122)

I've never in my life been more surprised by a trade.

12. BourbonSamurai Is a Lazy Nogoodnik Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:23 PM (#4190124)

Ha, that is the perfect headline. My mind is a little bit blown.

13. Dan Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:24 PM (#4190125)

So does Girardi have the stones to bat Ichiro 9th or will he just pencil him in at leadoff?

14. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:25 PM (#4190126)

I was not expecting that.

15. ??'s Biggest Fan! Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:26 PM (#4190127)

Hahahaha! Cashman and his Jedi mind tricks....

16. JJ1986 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:26 PM (#4190128)

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.

17. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:26 PM (#4190130)

Holy ####

18. Esoteric Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:26 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 06:27 PM (#4190133)

trading for Farquhar

Is he 3 feet tall with a magic mirror?

20. JE (Jason Epstein)

Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:27 PM (#4190134)

So Ichiro leadoff and Jeter #2 ... I'm not sure that's good for the Yanks lineup.

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.

21. charityslave is thinking about baseball Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4190135)

.261/.288/.353

If his name wasn't Ichiro he wouldn't even be starting, much less traded for prospects.

22. Brian C Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4190136)

WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THE YANKEES.

Oh come on...it's at least KIND OF funny.

23. The District Attorney Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4190137)

WHAT IS GOING ON???

24. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:28 PM (#4190138)

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.

25. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:29 PM (#4190141)

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.

26. nick swisher hygiene Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:31 PM (#4190146)

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.....

27. DA Baracus is a "bloodthirsty fan of Atlanta." Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:32 PM (#4190148)

The Mariners say Ichiro approached them about a trade. So Ichiro is a Yankee, because he wanted to.

28. The District Attorney Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:32 PM (#4190149)

What uniform number?

29. Esoteric Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:33 PM (#4190152)

Word from Seattle reporters is that Ichiro requested a trade. *sigh*

30. TerpNats Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:34 PM (#4190153)

So does Girardi have the stones to bat Ichiro 9th or will he just pencil him in at leadoff?

If I'm Girardi, I tell Ichiro that in the AL, the number-nine hitter is essentially a second leadoff man. (But he probably knows that already.)

31. ??'s Biggest Fan! Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:34 PM (#4190154)

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 06:35 PM (#4190155)

He does have good numbers in Yankee Stadium. that could be a factor.

33. Esoteric Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:35 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.

34. TVerik, the gum-snappin' hairdresser Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:35 PM (#4190157)

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.

35. nick swisher hygiene Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:38 PM (#4190160)

if the fabled Ichiro power manifests itself, does that make the new Yankee Stadium more or less disgraceful?

36. ellsbury my heart at wounded knee Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:38 PM (#4190161)

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 06:39 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 06:39 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 06:40 PM (#4190164)

I came here kind of expecting BBTF to be gone and a roaring flame GIF in its place.

40. Monty Predicts a Padres-Mariners WS in 2016 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:42 PM (#4190168)

I'm simultaneously sorry to see him leave and surprised anyone wants him.

41. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:43 PM (#4190170)

Apparently the Yankees will only be paying $2M of Ichiro's remaining salary.

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.

42. Monty Predicts a Padres-Mariners WS in 2016 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:43 PM (#4190171)

So...how will he look in pinstripes?

43. Yastrzemski in left. Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:45 PM (#4190173)

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 06:45 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.

45. For the Turnstiles (andeux) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:46 PM (#4190177)

So...how will he look in pinstripes?

Old.

46. You Know Nothing JT Snow (YR) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:47 PM (#4190179)

The Mariners say Ichiro approached them about a trade. So Ichiro is a Yankee, because he wanted to.

If you're an Ichiro fan you have to be pleased with this deal too.

47. salajander Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:48 PM (#4190180)

My initial reaction.

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.

48. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:49 PM (#4190181)

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 06:49 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 06:49 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 06:50 PM (#4190185)

Ichiro could have his last name on his jersey if he wanted to.

52. BourbonSamurai Is a Lazy Nogoodnik Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:50 PM (#4190186)

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 06:50 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.

54. Gold Star - just Gold Star Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:51 PM (#4190188)

NOW it's officially weird.

55. bunyon Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:52 PM (#4190189)

@54: I expect to see Godzilla ripping through that screen in a few minutes.

56. Robert in Manhattan Beach Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:52 PM (#4190190)

So I guess we'll find out if Ichiro is toast or was just board. I'm betting on board.

57. TVerik, the gum-snappin' hairdresser Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:52 PM (#4190191)

I think the Yankees probably got themselves the most famous right fielder in the league.

58. Johnny Sycophant-Laden Fora Posted: July 23, 2012 at 06:54 PM (#4190193)

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 06:56 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 06:58 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 07:00 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 07:02 PM (#4190202)

The Orioles rejoice

63. Cowboy Popup Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:04 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 07:04 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.

65. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:05 PM (#4190206)

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 07:06 PM (#4190208)

Yeah, this reminds me of Giambi/Mabry and Francoeur to the Mets, just for the weirdness factor.

67. PASTE Thinks This Trout Kid Might Be OK (Zeth) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:07 PM (#4190210)

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 07:09 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 07:09 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!

70. PASTE Thinks This Trout Kid Might Be OK (Zeth) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:10 PM (#4190216)

Taking defensive innings from Ibanez: good
Taking defensive innings from Jones: possibly ok
Taking defensive innings from Wise: very bad

So how does "the Yankees DFA'd Wise to make room for Ichiro!" rank on that scale?

71. JC in DC Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:10 PM (#4190217)

So which hat does Ichiro wear into the HoF?

72. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:12 PM (#4190219)

And yet Alfonso Soriano is STILL available!

73. Esoteric Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:13 PM (#4190220)

Ichiro almost crying right now during the press conference in Seattle.

74. PASTE Thinks This Trout Kid Might Be OK (Zeth) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:14 PM (#4190221)

Serious question: if the price was the same would you rather have Ichiro! or Soriano?

75. The District Attorney Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:15 PM (#4190224)

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 07:15 PM (#4190225)

Can't wait to see him on the Yankees.

77. Mom makes botox doctors furious Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:15 PM (#4190226)

Not disappointed here - what a great shake-it-up "well, I'll be derned" kind of refreshing thing to find at the top of the page.

What's next - Mariano to WA for J Werth? Josh Hamilton to CO for Tuloy?

And how do ya pronounce Ichiro in the Bronx???

78. PepTech Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:16 PM (#4190227)

And he's been going on for several minutes - in Japanese, with no translation yet...

79. Yonder Alonso in misguided trousers (cardinal) Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:16 PM (#4190228)

Man, I wish instead of this heartfelt speech, Ichiro was doing one of his All-Star Game expletive-filled rousers.

80. vortex of dissipation Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:17 PM (#4190229)

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 07:19 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 07:20 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 07:21 PM (#4190234)

The farmer from "Babe" is speaking now.

84. TVerik, the gum-snappin' hairdresser Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:23 PM (#4190236)

Girardi said that he'll play LF.

85. PepTech Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:24 PM (#4190239)

Your new Yankee LF! "Last time I played left was in a playoff game at Yankee Stadium". Ha!

86. Lassus Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:25 PM (#4190242)

I had a friend call and tell me this from Colorado in the most normal voice possible, and I genuinely became concerned he might be having a stroke.

87. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:27 PM (#4190244)

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.

88. vortex of dissipation Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:27 PM (#4190246)

"Last time I played left was in a playoff game at Yankee Stadium". Ha!

89. Shooty Survived the Shutdown of '14!

Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:29 PM (#4190247)

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 07:30 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 07:30 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 07:30 PM (#4190250)

Girardi said that he'll play LF.

That makes almost as much sense as having Ichiro play LF.

93. TVerik, the gum-snappin' hairdresser Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:31 PM (#4190251)

Shooty, I have seen a lot of "done" veterans have a really good few months in pinstripes at the end of their career. I'm excited, and hopeful.

94. The District Attorney Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:32 PM (#4190252)

Swish has 925.7 career innings in 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.

95. TVerik, the gum-snappin' hairdresser Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:36 PM (#4190256)

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."

96. The District Attorney Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:39 PM (#4190259)

That's a kabuki question, bro.

97. Monty Predicts a Padres-Mariners WS in 2016 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:40 PM (#4190261)

That's a kabuki question, bro.

That's a good piece of business.

98. Jose Molina wants a nickname like ARod Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:46 PM (#4190267)

#87 http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHA/1928.shtml I expect is close

99. catomi01 Posted: July 23, 2012 at 07:46 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 07:46 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.

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Holy Crap Ichiro is a Yankee

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