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Ichiro considered joining yankees

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:57 am
by arkuo
per wiretap...

Yahoo.com - Ichiro Suzuki said he considered moving to the Yankees before deciding -- with his wife's encouragement -- to stick with the underperforming Mariners.

"I had been wavering in my mind since early spring," the Japanese baseball star admitted in an interview with Kyodo News published Tuesday.

Ichiro said his friends spoke to him about options including returning to Japan, joining compatriot slugger Hideki Matsui at the Yankees or playing with Japanese pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka at the Red Sox.

The seven-time All-Star outfielder, who holds the Major League record for hits in a season, said he narrowed down his choice to the Yankees and Mariners.



boy, yankees never stop having great players come to their door step.. they have the team and the city as their bargaining chip.. what's not to love bout new york? :bowdown:

its good that he considered playing with fellow countryman matsui... but his wife told him to stick with the mariners... im not familiar with baseball business trade rules.. could a baseball star demand a trade and be traded for somebody that is "equal" his salary? does it work like NBA trades?

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:11 am
by ManicBullsFan
salary is irrelevant

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 2:48 pm
by cmaff051
Can you blame him? The Yankees have been giving out free money lately, he wants some of it...

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 3:11 pm
by 34Celtic
cmaff051 wrote:Can you blame him? The Yankees have been giving out free money lately, he wants some of it...


Who exactly do you want in center field?

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 8:15 pm
by cmaff051
34Celtic wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Who exactly do you want in center field?


Johnny Damon.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:24 pm
by Fury
cmaff051 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Johnny Damon.


Over Ichiro?

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:40 pm
by 34Celtic
Fury wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Over Ichiro?


Sorry I had to pick myself up off the floor after that one.

Posted: Tue Nov 27, 2007 9:41 pm
by thebuzzardman
Ichiro's wife has become, for me, the most hated Japanese woman this side of Yoko Ono...

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:33 am
by moocow007
34Celtic wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Sorry I had to pick myself up off the floor after that one.


I had to read that statement a few times myself. Somehow in the back of my mind I was expecting the letters to rearrange itself. :D

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:39 am
by cmaff051
Fury wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Over Ichiro?


Yes. I think Ichiro is overrated. Granted he's a better all-around player than Damon but I'd rather have Damon for 2 years than Ichiro for 5 years at near $20 million a year in his decline.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:21 am
by TKF
cmaff051 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Yes. I think Ichiro is overrated. Granted he's a better all-around player than Damon but I'd rather have Damon for 2 years than Ichiro for 5 years at near $20 million a year in his decline.



I usually agree with you, and I respect people who are not afraid to make comments that are not popular..... But I would take ichiro over damon in a second, I think that guy is a tremendous player, great speed, quick bat and a cannon of an arm.. what is not to like?

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 4:51 am
by cmaff051
TKF wrote:-= original quote snipped =-




I usually agree with you, and I respect people who are not afraid to make comments that are not popular..... But I would take ichiro over damon in a second, I think that guy is a tremendous player, great speed, quick bat and a cannon of an arm.. what is not to like?


What's not to like is that he will decline soon... $20 million for a player in his late 30s whose game is based on speed and infield hits? Not a fan of doling out a contract like that, Ichiro is useless once his speed is gone.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:12 am
by 34Celtic
TKF wrote:-= original quote snipped =-




I usually agree with you, and I respect people who are not afraid to make comments that are not popular..... But I would take ichiro over damon in a second, I think that guy is a tremendous player, great speed, quick bat and a cannon of an arm.. what is not to like?


nowhere in there does it mention the gold gloves.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:14 am
by cmaff051
34Celtic wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



nowhere in there does it mention the gold gloves.


Do I need to bring up the obligatory "Jeter has won a gold glove and he's a mediocre fielder" comment?

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:17 am
by 34Celtic
cmaff051 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Do I need to bring up the obligatory "Jeter has won a gold glove and he's a mediocre fielder" comment?


Do I need to rephrase my last comment? Ok I will....

Ichiro plays amazing defense.

Done.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:20 am
by cmaff051
34Celtic wrote:-= original quote snipped =-



Do I need to rephrase my last comment? Ok I will....

Ichiro plays amazing defense.

Done.


Do I need to let you know that as you decline one of the first things to go is your speed?

And Ichiro's game is based entirely on speed and infield hits?

And the fact that during almost the entire length of his contract he will be in decline???

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 3:51 pm
by Fury
And you still rather have Damon who's like the same age and plays the same speed game but worse?

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 5:03 pm
by cmaff051
Fury wrote:And you still rather have Damon who's like the same age and plays the same speed game but worse?


Isn't Damon's contract up 2 years from now? Isn't Ichiro's contract up 5 years from now? As I have said many times, I'd take Damon's 2 years over Ichiro's 5 years.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:35 pm
by 34Celtic
Ichiro in years 4 and 5 will still be better than Damon in the final 2 years of his deal. He is also worlds better right now and will be the next couple years.

Posted: Wed Nov 28, 2007 7:41 pm
by TKF
34Celtic wrote:Ichiro in years 4 and 5 will still be better than Damon in the final 2 years of his deal. He is also worlds better right now and will be the next couple years.


I agree with that... not all guys lose their speed in their 30's.. remember baseball is not a contact sport, so there are really no major injuries to rob you of that speed. hell kenny loften is still fast at age 40 or 41, tim raines has good speed well into his 30's.... Ichiro is a great athlete, and he has not shown signs of getting slower. I could see him still burning into his mid to late 30's... by then, damon will be ready for the glue factory.....