On ESPN 710 Today
Dave · June 25, 2010 at 9:08 am · Filed Under Mariners
I got bumped from the normal Thursday at 12:30 time slot due to yesterday’s Mariners game, so we’re doing it today instead.
Also, my newest post went up on their blog yesterday.
Is that 3:30 eastern or pacific
Love the post about Ichiro Dave. It drives me nuts when people blame Ichiro.
Sorry, it’s 3:30 my time, 12:30 where you all are. I’ve changed it in the post.
That would have been funny if Dave’s post was the Ted Lilly looks like Colin Farrell one.
That’s good cause it’s 3:30 in my time as well, I was hoping I could listen to it while getting paid at work, way to make my work day even easier Dave.
P.S. @Liam
I thought the same thing as soon as I was there as well
Is there a place to see Rob Johnson’s fielding stats that includes how many wild pitches have been thrown while he is catching?
The only thing I think Ichiro could improve on is his base stealing. He doesn’t make nearly enough attempts, IMO.
I wonder, though, if his speed WILL decline in the next couple of years. I know he takes excellent care of himself, but age will get him eventually. And for someone that relies so heavily on speed (infield hits, primarily), will his decline be a gradual slope or a cliff dive?
Because a slowed-down Ichiro won’t have much value.
Which, actually, brings up another question. Do you let him play here until the bitter end? (*See Griffey) Or, trade our beloved right fielder while he DOES still have speed and (as a result) value?
My question here is not what ownership will allow to happen.. but rather what you think SHOULD happen in this regard.
Or not resign him after this contract, when he is still productive but on his downside.
But I’ll bet on this one: he suddenly retires with time left on his contract, after visiting with Mr. Yamauchi (*see Sasaki, Jojima)
I think the bottom line answer is that Ichiro will finish his career as a Seattle Mariner … and after he collects his 3,000th hit. In order to do that, he will have to have a new contract executed after his current contract expires. It’s TBD on how much that annual contract should cost per season.
Ichiro will not have any issues with showing up out of shape and in the mood for a hug-fest when he is 40 years old. He will still be in great shape. He may lose a half step between now and then, but that loss is still going to mean that he is pretty damn fast. It’s also possible that he won’t lose any speed between now and 2014.
Speaking as an “above 40” it is inevitable that he will decline, but he so rare, unique and dedicated, he will be able to perform past the age of 40.
He isn’t going anywhere. He shouldn’t go anywhwere. He is more valuable to the M’s than to any other franchise, and as long as they are paying him a boat-load of money (well above singles hitter status)… no other team is going to want to trade for him.
You’re forgetting the fact he also has speed and plays defense. A hitter that hits .330/.378/.434 consistently and plays great defense and steals 25+ bases is valuable. In fact he’s been close to 17.5+ million dollars valuable for the last oh 4 years. He’s consistently a 4+ WAR player. Stop undervaluing his offense because he hits singles.
When I watch the Mariners on television, it seems pretty obvious I’m seeing a lot of ads directly targeted at the Japanese audience (e.g. Dandy House; the Nintendo Ads that are in Japanese; that Yunker/Sato company that advertises on the dugout railings). And the M’s have a deal with Japanese TV, right?
I know there was a lot of snarky debate about how much money, if any, the mere presence of Griffey brought in – but it sure seems like Ichiro’s presence definitely brings a lot of cash to the Mariners that otherwise would not be there. If that’s the case, when/if he starts to decline that’ll have to be part of the equation regarding how much to offer him.
Slurve: I am not “forgetting” any facts and I am not sure what you are attempting to point out – exactly.
I am a big Ichiro fan and my entry was positive toward him. I think you picked a portion of a train of thought and ran to third base with it – without hitting first or second base.
There was no need for me to recite all of his stats (either offensive or defensive) for those who already have them at their fingertips, memorized, on speed dial – or all of the above. I simply bottom lined “him” as a singles hitter that is more valuable to our team than to any other team. And, he is an outstanding Gold Glove outfielder too. All of the dedicated Mariner fans already know this.
He is not an $18M/yr player (for trade purposes) IMO. That was my point. He is an $18M player for our team. He is probably worth that much money to the Mariners organization – in a day. That specific % of a burden in regard to the overall established team budget/payroll is another topic.
My point on Ichiro was to dissuade any discussion about trading him. Trading him is a silly thing to consider – and I don’t believe it is ever going to happen. His salary is one component of many reasons why I don’t believe it will ever happen – becuase there simply will not be any interest by other teams in picking up his salary.
No, definitely not now. But what about nearing the trade deadline in the middle of 2012 (assuming the M’s aren’t in it). Would there be interest in Ichiro as a rental at that point? I dunno.
@mike Now there we go!
When all else fails, check Baseball-Reference.com
Your answer is 18 this year.