Colletti Talks To Ichiro's Agent
Word via the San Diego Union-Tribune yesterday was that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti spent an hour talking to Tony Attanasio, the agent for impending free agent Ichiro Suzuki. Attanasio also represents Giants manager Bruce Bochy.
The Dodgers won't have an opening in center field next year given the Juan Pierre contract. But Ichiro, of course, can play a fine right field. It wouldn't be hard to replace Andre Ethier's .711 OPS, though it would lock the Dodgers into two powerless players in their outfield.
Several NL West teams may go toe-to-toe for Ichiro, including the Dodgers, Padres, and Giants. All could make room for him. Still, it seems a long shot that Colletti and Attanasio were discussing Ichiro. That seems like tampering. Attanasio has, in the past, suggested that the Mariners trade Ichiro this summer if they don't plan on signing him. We'll be keeping a close eye on this situation in the coming months.
If Colletti trades for anyone but a power hitter, he should be immediately fired. Have you seen this offense? Ichiro is not the answer.
Posted by: J.L. | June 07, 2007 at 11:16 AM
my guess from the cheap seats is that Colletti might be considering upgrading CF and moving Pierre. Perhaps in an effort to bring in a power guy somewhere else in a multi-team deal. So this actually makes sense.
I like Pierre but he is just not clicking as he should be...
So if he can find a place to trade Pierre he would want a replacement, even for the short term. I bet he could get Ichiro for a Tomko and a AAA pitcher at the most. Seattle NEEDS pitching.
If the Dodgers can move Pierre in a deal likely they will eat a huge part of his contract, but, eh, it would solve some issues in the OF. Especially in terms of Kemp who has shown those flashes a young player if he wants to be a MLB player for years to come.
So, this conversation makes sense if something else might be happening. Then again it could simply be a way to fake out SD to up whatever offer they might make for Ichiro...it's always "...wheels withing wheels..." and that is what makes it such a fun time of the season.
Posted by: grumpy3b | June 07, 2007 at 01:28 PM
I really hope that Colletti pulls off a trade for Ichiro. Considering he's dealing with Bill Bavasi, it's not crazy to think about him pawning off Juan Pierre in the deal along with some pitching. As far as I know, dealing Pierre in the middle of multi-year deal would allow him to declare free agency next Spring but I doubt he would. The money he's getting is too good for his overrated skills.
By the way, the reason I want Colletti to do this is because it's a complete smoke screen to the Dodger Blue. Sure, Ichiro would be an upgrade over Pierre but like JL said, it's not the answer to their problems. This would also serve to deplete a small portion of the Dodger's solid farm system, which I would love.
In case it's not obvious, I'm not a big fan of the Dodgers.
Posted by: WestCoastBias | June 07, 2007 at 02:04 PM
I don't think there's anyway the D's can palm off pierre on anyone, and that further removes any need/place for Ichiro. He was probably driving up the price for the Pods, who are the one's who should be the most interested in Ichiro.
Posted by: J.L. | June 07, 2007 at 02:29 PM
The only question I have about the Padres need for Ichiro is what they would do with the Giles brothers. It's hard to imagine any of these 3 players batting below the 2 spot. It'd be a stretch but the only reasonable order I could imagine would be Ichiro-Brian-Marcus but Marcus is not an ideal #3 hitter. Hopefully this problem will be fixed after 2008 with Towers denying Brian Giles 2009 option. I'm beyond ready for that over the hill hack to leave SD's lineup. For all of Towers's strength's, I'm surprised he gave Giles another Nevin/Klesko contract 2 years ago. Sure, it was below market at the time but Petco Park killed Brian Giles.
Posted by: WestCoastBias | June 07, 2007 at 02:48 PM
WestCoast, I think a lot of people who are Dodger fans would agree with you. If we could trade Pierre, I'd throw in Loney and whatever team wants the contract can take 'em. I'd trade for a one day contract of Raul Mondesi.
Posted by: lih | June 07, 2007 at 02:50 PM
As a Dodger fan, I would love it if Colletti could get out of this horrible Juan Pierre contract, even if it means eating some of the salary. There are tooo many good center fielders available next year. Colletti should have done his homework. The Dodgers have been powerless for three seasons now. Any Dodger fan would have accepted Kenny Lofton on a one year deal if it meant getting Andruw Jones, Torrii Hunter, Ichiro, or even Mike Cameron next season. I'll never understand why Ned Colletti signed Pierre.
Anyone notice, Juan Pierre isn't in the lineup tonight? This probably has to do with him stinking it up lately. He just can't keep the ball on the ground!
Posted by: jskohl | June 07, 2007 at 09:34 PM
Juan Pierre sucked for the Cubs and he sucks for the Dodgers. He would be fine in a position where he wasn't expected to play that great but when you sign a huge contract like that everyone expects more than a 7 or 8 hitter.
Posted by: greenbaydude1232 | June 08, 2007 at 11:08 AM