Comments on: The Ichiro walk year speculation starts

By: msb

msb — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 16:21:45 +0000

#11– I assumed getting MacLaren back was a tiny step in that direction; a familiar face he knows & likes, and one who is noted for his ability to be the friendly liaison between manager and player…

By: Goose

Goose — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 10:56:05 +0000

Even if Ichiro does leave, why do people assume he goes to the Yankees?

You know, there ARE other teams in baseball.

By: Tak

Tak — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 09:50:26 +0000

#14

Ok, first of all, if you compare the Yankees with the Mariners, not many people will disagree that NY has a much better chance of doing it. (despite the fact that they have not won it in a while) And! NY usually makes it to the playoffs without any problems, while the Ms haven’t come close in a while.

Ichiro hates losing, many people realized this at last when they saw Ichiro’s interview after Japan lost to Korea twice in the WBC. I think the Mariners will need to at least make it to the playoffs next season (or come awfully close) to convince Ichiro to stay…

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:25:19 +0000

#14: Oh, George Steinbrenner has certain “ways” of persuading people that they’re the missing piece to the puzzle. . .

By: LB

LB — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:22:12 +0000

#12: How would putting on pinstripes help Ichiro win a ring? The last time NY won the World Series, Ichiro was the property of the Orix Blue Wave.

By: Gomez

Gomez — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:20:58 +0000

Who else here has a sneaky suspicion that a certain manager may get the axe after 2007 as an appeasement to a certain top shelf free-agent-to-be, who is rumored to be very disgruntled with said manager, in return for said free-agent-to-be resigning with the ballclub?

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 30 Oct 2006 05:48:36 +0000

Duhhhhhhhhhhhh. . .

If the M’s don’t show they are committed to winning a World Championship within one year, then chances are Ichiro will be in pinstripes come 2008.

But alas, Howard Lincoln is the CEO, Bill Bavasi is the GM, and Mike Hargrove is the manager.

So everybody get ready for “Ichiro Appreciation Night” this September, when you last get to see Ichiro in a Mariners uniform at SAFECO Field.

By: Typical Idiot Fan

Typical Idiot Fan — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 23:12:04 +0000

Do we agree that Ichiro may be the rare player who needs to be won over by more than mere dollars?

I would agree.

By: msb

msb — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:57:14 +0000

p.s. Derek– did you remember to “Fall back” today?

By: msb

msb — Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:54:08 +0000

I thought when I read it that is seemed very much like other quotes from Attanasio–

in 2003, pre-arbitration via Hickey:

“…he is eligible for salary arbitration, meaning that if no deal can be struck, an arbiter will determine the player’s salary next February. And, agent Tony Attanasio said yesterday, Ichiro would not find that acceptable.

“We are not looking for a one-year deal. Or a two- or three- or five- or 10-year deal,” Attanasio said. “What we are looking for is fair representation of what the club thinks this player is worth. If we cannot agree to terms, if they force it into arbitration, Ichiro will never voluntarily sign another contract with them.”

and November last year:

Attanasio said he believes Ichiro, who is currently in Japan and could not be reached by the Post-Intelligencer for further comment, has expressed “more disappointment than unhappiness” at the club’s current status.

“Seattle was his first choice when the posting was done,” Attanasio said. “He feels fortunate to come here. Ichiro doesn’t want to go anyplace. But there is also the fact that he has limited time as a player. He wants this club to be a contender.”