Ichiro is a Yankee!!!

[yanksfan09]

Being a Yankee fan Im not expecting too much, he's almost 40 with a 280 on base. However, I think the Yanks could get a couple nice months out of him. Maybe next year too. The stadium will be easier to hit and we may see a few more HR's. The main thing here is that they didn't give up much for him that I'll be missing so it seems like a no-brainer on the Yankees end to me. I like the deal but I'm certainly not expecting vintage Ichiro.

[GrayGhost]

Originally Posted by yanksfan09

Being a Yankee fan Im not expecting too much, he's almost 40 with a 280 on base. However, I think the Yanks could get a couple nice months out of him. Maybe next year too. The stadium will be easier to hit and we may see a few more HR's. The main thing here is that they didn't give up much for him that I'll be missing so it seems like a no-brainer on the Yankees end to me. I like the deal but I'm certainly not expecting vintage Ichiro.

From one Yankees fan to another. Couldn't have said it better.

[drc]

As a Seattle resident I can say he isn't very good any more. I don't know why the Yankees would want him. It will be interesting to see how much playing time he gets.

[brob28]

I'm not familiar with the two prospects they traded for Ichiro. Are they any good? I believe this is the last year of his contract, so this may be a real short term move.

[packs]

They're not very good. DJ Mitchell is a relief / spot starter type and Seattle will be the other guy's fourth organization this year.

[steve B]

I'm happy for the yankee fans out there, and I hope he does well for them.

Even as a Sox fan I have to be happy to see Ichiro playing in the big media market, He's obviously capable of handling it. I think it's a good match.

Off to get the "draft pick" chant going at fenway even though draft picks don't matter as much in baseball.

steve B

[packs]

I've read some cool Ichiro quotes on the board before. I love this one from his interview with Harold Reynolds.

Harold Reynolds: "There were lots of Japanese media when you got here, now that's died off... ready for the New York media?"

Ichiro: "I don't think we have time for useless questions like that."

[Tobacco&Gum]

Ichiro: "I don't think we have time for useless questions like that."

Translation: That's a clown question bro.

[markf31]

Originally Posted by yanksfan09

Being a Yankee fan Im not expecting too much, he's almost 40 with a 280 on base. However, I think the Yanks could get a couple nice months out of him. Maybe next year too. The stadium will be easier to hit and we may see a few more HR's. The main thing here is that they didn't give up much for him that I'll be missing so it seems like a no-brainer on the Yankees end to me. I like the deal but I'm certainly not expecting vintage Ichiro.

He's 38, he hit just .272 last year which is very pedestrian and is at only .261 this year. He has lost his speed which enabled him to beat out so many infield singles. He has hit 10 or more HRs only 3 times in his major league career. I would have thought there could have been better pickings out there for the pinstripes besides Ichiro.

[bigtrain]

I am in my 50th year as a Yankee fan but I have to recognize that: The Yankees have a platoon of .240 hitters in left, a .250 hitter albeit with power in center, a .250 hitter with some power who disappears in the post-season in right field, a .250 hitter who pads his power stats against bad teams at first base, a .200 hitter behind the plate and two aging stars at short and third. Ibanez/Jones, Granderson, Swisher, Tex and A-Rod will each probably be around 200 Ks.
Ichiro is not the player he once was but he still has some speed. He can field his position and has a great arm. Most importantly, he puts the ball in play, advances runners, doesn't strike out alot and makes productive outs.

[novakjr]

Originally Posted by bigtrain

I am in my 50th year as a Yankee fan but I have to recognize that: The Yankees have a platoon of .240 hitters in left, a .250 hitter albeit with power in center, a .250 hitter with some power who disappears in the post-season in right field, a .250 hitter who pads his power stats against bad teams at first base, a .200 hitter behind the plate and two aging stars at short and third. Ibanez/Jones, Granderson, Swisher, Tex and A-Rod will each probably be around 200 Ks.
Ichiro is not the player he once was but he still has some speed. He can field his position and has a great arm. Most importantly, he puts the ball in play, advances runners, doesn't strike out alot and makes productive outs.

.250 hitters aren't that big of a deal. It's just 1 hit a week from .300. The one thing I'll agree with you though, is that the team isn't as good on paper as they appear. The one thing you're not noting about those players though, is how much they work the counts. Ichiro also can work the hell out of a count.. These guys can wear down a pitcher quickly.

Now as far as Ichiro goes, I think to an extent, that he was somewhat bored in Seattle...Sure he's aging, but I think it's possible that this could spark a new interest for him, and he could end up batting .300 for the rest of the year, and with the majority of that lineup killing fastballs, I can see an increase in steals for Ichiro, due to the higher volume of offspeed pitches. Plus he should score more runs when he does get on...I'd take any Yankee batting behind him, over any Mariner...

[jimross]

This whole deal is all about selling Yankee to Japan/Japanese so Yankee can sells more jerseys and stuffs once again.

[nolemmings]

It's a low-risk move for the Yanks with some nice upside potential. It can't hurt adding such a class guy to the roster. I've never been a huge fan of Ichiro, but now that he's a Yankee it would be nice to see him get a ring.

[timzcardz]

The biggest problem with this trade was that ARod wasn't part of it.

[shaunsteig]

Originally Posted by nolemmings

It's a low-risk move for the Yanks with some nice upside potential. It can't hurt adding such a class guy to the roster.

As a Yankees fan, I relished the fact that he immediately announced that he would not keep his jersey number (51), out of respect to the last Yankee who wore it -- Bernie Williams. Always has been a class guy, and I think he adds some needed focus and personality depth to this team as they proceed through the second half of what's otherwise been a less-than-expected-challenge of a season.

As for his current capabilities, sure he's not the 200-hit machine that he used to be. But the current Yankees lineup has plenty of power (leads majors in HR) -- what they need is the consistent base hit guy, as well as speed on the bases. He should be able to provide that.

--S