Ichiro Unlikely To Be Dealt

If he was available, what team would want him?

The Cubs probably would since they seem to want everyone that's available.

"Deal Ichiro backto Japan for Yu Darvish."

That's a great idea, Kyle Kendrick.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nKKqPOiJxI

My guess is...

The Yankees would offer up a b.s. offer of Melky Cabrera and Ian Kennedy, thinking that going back to Seattle and pitching to his old battery mate Clement might make him the capable pitcher everyone thought he'd be, something is said for comfort, but I don't really think Kennedy will ever be the prospect people thought he would be... I'm putting money on Kennedy being a Paul Wilson type.

Boston would be interested, but they'd want to deal Crisp and there's no way Seattle downgrades for an almost 29 year old 4th outfield. Yes he's the best 4th outfield in baseball, but that in no way makes him good enough to start in Seattle during a rebuilding period, Crisp has, is or will be labeled a replacement player, someone people trade for when someone gets injured, plus I think the overly self-conscious Mariners would have a hands off approach to the ticking-time bomb. Look for a minimum requirement to be Ellsbury and either Lester/Lowrie/Masterson, there could be other players involved to include more of these guys than just Ellsbury + 1, or maybe to even the value considering Lester and Ellsbury would be a little much for Ichiro at his age. Maybe Washburn and Ichi for get it done. By the way, for a team like the Red Sox with their payroll, Ellsbury and Lester aren't as untouchable as you might think.

I think the sleeper pick would be Tampa Bay. They would probably want Seattle to eat a couple heavy contracts for them... Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena. Pena doesn't look like he did last year and may struggle to hit 30 HRs this year unless he's got another September like 2007. If Seattle were to send Raul Ibanez, Ichiro Suzuki, and Jamie Burke (need a legitimate #2 catcher), they could probably get Crawford and Pena. Crawford isn't producing ENOUGH to, on a payroll like Tampa Bay's, afford him at this stage of his contract. Pena is making like 11MM a year, so if they are to take on Ichiro's deal they'd want to cut that salary. However, Ichiro brings t.v. rights with him that would more than cover their payroll and then some, so he's not really 17MM a year.

Orioles are rebuilding.

Blue Jays would want him, but it would cost Adam Lind and either Shaun Marcum or Dustin McGowan. Halladay is off limits, Burnett could opt out after this year which would be pointless, Jesse Litsch doesn't offer enough value as I think he's going to start getting hit hard.

The Tigers would have to offer Granderson and I don't see that working out and Magglio in left seems unlikely. Though Thames and a healthy Bonderman would be a good start for a trade offer.

Twins can't afford him.

Indians are going to be rebuilding.

Royals can't offord him/don't have the right pieces to make a deal work. Greinke and DeJesus would be a good start, but I'd expect them to ask for Teahen also and that would defeat the purpose since any team that would want Ichiro should be in a win now situation.

White Sox would want him, but they have nothing to offer as their team is all old players and anyone that proposes Brain Anderson can do everyone a favor and kick their own ass! Ramirez offers no value as we have two middle infielders and we have leadoff options that preclude us looking for the same in return unless they are an elite talent like Ellsbury.

AL WEST is in division rivals and that ain't gonna fly.

Mets would want him, but the starting offer would be Jose Reyes, John Maine, and Ryan Church. Of course the Mariners would have to send Betancourt as they don't need two SS in Seattle and NY would be in need, so a little more value has to come back. Seattle would probably also throw Silva in as they would need someone to replace Maine in the rotation.

Phillies, don't have the payroll and a legitimate offer would start with Victorino, include Brett Myers, and throw in a minor leaguer.

Nationals are sellers.

Marlins couldn't afford him.

Braves would need to offer Brent Lillibridge, Jo-Jo Reyes, Brandon Jones.

Cubs don't have a place to play him, none of the guys they have are young enough to consider trading for and Edmonds doesn't want to play in Seattle anyways. Kosuke is a fair talent to start a deal with, but again he's 30, so forget that.

Cardinals, no way this gets done unless the Mariners were to include Betancourt, take Izturis in return with Ryan Ludwick and Todd Wellemeyer. Still I don't see this working out.

Reds, no way, Mariners want nothing to do with Dunn, we've got three DHs we don't need a 4th. Pelekoudas wants nothing to do with Griffey. Anyone believing that Bruce could be had needs to pass the pipe. Just nowhere to play him unless there was a simultaneous deal, but even then, the Reds aren't that close to contending.

Brewers, could offer Bill Hall, Matt(??) LaPorta, and Seth McClung, but I doubt they would want to take on the contract, even with all the pre-arb players on their roster keeping the payroll down.

Pirates aren't close enough to competing, but a Jason Bay, Ian Snell, Adam LaRoche for Ichiro, Sexson, and Silva deal is intriguing. They are close enough to .500 and the division has had enough drama to make it their best chance before 2011. The Mariners would have to eat the rest of Sexson's contract, probably 15MM of the remainder for Silva's, and they would have to eat 2MM a year off Ichiro's, but the t.v. rights could give them a major boost in their payroll.

Astros would definitely be interested, but figure the starting offer for this would be Hunter Pence, Josh Towles, and a farm arm. The Mariners would have to throw in Silva and Burke, but this could benefit both.

Giants, they'd love to have Ichiro, but it would cost them Fred Lewis, Jonathan Sanchez, John Bowles. They'd probably have to throw in Washburn and Sexson, but eat all of Sexson's contract, and a couple million of Washburn's deal over this and next season.

Dodgers would be interested, but it would cost them Matt Kemp, Brad Penny, and Chad Billingsley. The Mariners would probably include Silva and Washburn and for the level of talent being sent, would only have to eat 9MM from Silva's deal and the rest would be a wash.

Rockies are rebuilding.

Padres are rebuilding.

Diamondbacks would have to start the offer with Justin Upton and Max Scherzer.

Most likely trade partners... Dodgers, Brewers, Rays, Giants, Mets. Probably only three of those teams aren't on his no-trade policy, but then again he might wave it for the right situation and Tampa Bay or Milwaukee could be the right situation, especially considering how much he enjoyed his time with Cameron.