USA Today Interviews Ichiro

Jon Saraceno of USA Today was granted an extensive interview with the Mariners' Ichiro Suzuki, through an interpreter.  While Ichiro doesn't say anything groundbreaking regarding his future after the 2007 season, a few quotes have negative connotations for Seattle.  For example:

The Mariners say they want to extend his deal and have him retire in a Seattle uniform. Asked if he prefers to stay, Ichiro demurs: "It's a very touchy subject right now, so I'd prefer not to answer."

It doesn't sound like Ichiro is going to grant the Mariners a discount, either:

"How much a team would offer a player is an expression of how much the team cares — respects — him," Ichiro says. "It's very important. How important? Hard to say."

He did have one particularly odd thing to say about his future, though.  Ichiro wants to become a pitcher when he's 40 and is "kind of serious about it."  Still seems like a joke, but it would just be cool to see him switch to the mound.  Or play center field most of the time and pitch on occasion.  We need more guys like that, and to see a superstar do it would be incredible.  The article says Ichiro might play until he's 45.

Back in February, Ichiro's agent publicly discussed the possibility that trading him might make the most sense this summer.  Feel free to speculate wildly on that one.

Comments

[beaminack]

wow ichiro as a pitcher when he is 40 and wants to play till hes clemens age
I LIKE IT your the man ichiro

[WestCoastBias]

I love Ichiro more and more. It'd be so fun to see him convert to a pitcher. I desperately hope the Padres roll out the red carpet for him this Fall. He could be someone to truly ignite the offense. In fact, the Padres can build from within for their rotation, bullpen and bench giving them flexibility to sign some fat checks for Ichiro & Jermaine Dye during the off-season. With money to spare as it is and Cameron, Linebrink & Wells coming off the books, it could be done.

Ichiro Suzuki
Marcus Giles
Brian Giles
Jermaine Dye
Adrian Gonzalez
Khalil Greene
Josh Bard
Kevin Kouzmanoff

I'd do anything to see that lineup in 2008...

[greenbaydude1232]

Have a hard time believing Giles would be the #3 hitter in that lineup. Gonzalez and Dye are both more worthy.

[bobo]

From a pure baseball standpoint, I can't see Ichiro being a good investment. Sure, he's exciting, but he doesn't walk, doesn't hit for power, and at least this year his steals are way down. He gets points for defense (especially if he's in center) but from a WARP perspective he's barely worth $10M.

Offensively there will be much better buys. SD should keep Cameron, let this season decide if you want to upgrade at either 3rd or LF, and get a big hitter there.

[bravesbeast]

bobo I agree, I do think that ichiro is not as worth skill as he will be paid, but he still is one of the top five table setters in the majors, especially if he were on a team that had a heart of the order hitting for a higher average. Another thing to consider is that he still creates a lot of revenue in terms of exposure to the Japanese fanbase, so in that sense, he probably should get paid a little more than he is worth. If his play generates not only stats, but extra revenue beyond American fans, his value will be a bit inflated, but for a acceptable reason.

[ErroRod1985]

I'd love the Red Sox to keep up the Japanese movement, but unfortunately, doubtful with Ellsbury. Put him at the top of a half way decent lineup and let him swing. 120+ runs a year easy. Sorry Seattle, Richie Sexson is so overrated.

[DentalPlan]

Ichiro is kind of overrated himself. Listening to people talk you'd think he was more valuable than Carl Crawford or Grady Sizemore.

[registereduser]

What type of contract you expect Ichiro to get???

I say 5 years and 60 Million.

Anyone think higher? longer?

[RotoAuthority]

I think he will want $14-15MM annually, and perhaps even more. Definitely not 12.

[DentalPlan]

You guys are talking on some horrible contract terms. A .786 OPS, 34 year old center fielder is worth 5 years, $75 million? That'd be easy for me to pass on.