Posted By:
Dave ReyI'd take the Dunn trade, even though he is hitting just .237, he's more valuable offensively than Ichiro. He's only scored 8 less runs than Ichiro, creates more runs overall per outs and next year will be going into his peak season at 27 years of age.
Dunn's likely stats for next year will be about .255 BA 48 HR 110 RUNS 115 WALKS with an OPS around .950. Heck he's even a good percentage player on the basepaths, Dunn is 7 for 7 on steals this year.
Dunn isn't all that great as a fielder, and those 12 errors in left field are a ridiculous amount, but his bat makes up for that. We'd probably miss Ichiro's arm in right, which acts as a deterrent on opponents trying to score or take the extra base when the ball in hit to right.
Of course, Ichiro also has value beyond his actual baseball value. He is a drawing card and he makes the Mariners the most desirable team for future Japanese imports.
Mariner fans that don't understand how to gauge on-field performance value would also throw a tantrum for the ages if we traded Ichiro for Dunn.
I'd still do it, though. Ichiro will be 33 next year and he is already showing signs of slipping at the plate -- if he drops down to being just a .290-.300 hitter, his offensive value is negligible -- he'd become the modern day Mickey Rivers at the plate.