Ichiro Suzuki’s agent, John Boggs, tells Barry Bloom of MLB.com that he’s still holding out hope that the 44-year-old will land an offer from a big league club this offseason rather than return to Japan. Boggs had talks with both the Mariners and Padres, but neither of those now looks likely to come to fruition. He also notes that he’d spoken to the Mets before they signed Jay Bruce, as well as the Reds when they were more heavily exploring the market for Billy Hamilton. Boggs tells Bloom that there are still a half-dozen teams that continue to tell him to check back later in the winter once it’s clearer how the market will play out, but it remains unclear whether Ichiro will have a legitimate opportunity to return for an 18th Major League season.
A few other notes as another quiet week of free agency nears its conclusion…
- Though the stagnant offseason has been frustrating across the board, it may be particularly exhausting for Orioles fans, as the club is known to be looking for two or three starters, an outfielder, a utility infielder and some catching depth. Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com writes that all of that is still in the works, and he spoke with manager Buck Showalter about the team’s offseason pursuits at length. Showalter suggests that the O’s are “down the road real deep on a lot of guys,” adding that GM Dan Duquette has discussed “offers and physicals” with one particular right field target. Showalter adds that a Chris Tillman reunion remains possible. The free agent has been working out at the Orioles’ spring complex in Sarasota, Fla. — a favor granted by the team to their longtime rotation stalwart.
- Royals left-hander Danny Duffy has pleaded guilty to driving under the influence after initially filing a plea of not guilty upon being cited for a DUI last August, according to the Kansas City Star’s Rustin Dodd. The 29-year-old has been placed on probation and must refrain from drinking and using illegal drugs over the course of a one-year term. He’ll be subject to random breath, blood and urine tests as part of his probation, Dodd adds.
- The Twins have hired three-time All-Star Jim Kaat as a special assistant in their front office, the team announced. The 79-year-old Kaat enjoyed an excellent 25-year career, starring for the Senators/Twins franchise in 15 of those seasons (3.34 ERA, 133 complete games, 23 shutouts over the life of 3014 1/3 innings). He joins Twins legends Rod Carew, Tony Oliva, Tom Kelly and Kent Hrbek in a role that will see him “engage in various Twins community and business initiatives both in Minnesota as well as Southwest Florida,” per the Twins’ press release announcing the hiring.
For the love of God, someone please offer Ichiro a contract.
Sounds like the Orioles did. Even Ichiro doesn’t want to play there.
would Ichiro be able to pass the Orioles physical though?
Of course not lol. Healthy young players cant pass it, at his age he had no chance.
Where did you read that?
Yeah but ichiro is in better condition than most players half his age.
I don’t have any sense for his ability to teach youngsters. Does he have a track record of doing this? He’s obviously a great role model for staying in shape, pregame preparation, and honing his skills, but does he go beyond that?
He was a great player, but the fact is his fan base is in Seattle and Japan. Not to discount his career, but he never connected with American fans on a personal level. We appreciate his performance, but beyond that we just don’t know him.
No, he isn’t a positive contributor any more and others are more deserving of a major league roster spot.
Look Ichiro has had a fantastic career, but he isn’t nearly the player he once was. He only has even been a league average hitter twice in the last NINE seasons. He is a draw on name and reputation only. He’ll likely go in the hall of fame on the first ballot (although he stacks up HORRIBLY against the other rightfielders in the HoF). But it is time to actually look at the player he is now instead of who he was.
Ichiro should be done. Objective fans should be upset if he is given even a minor league invite to their favorite team (since assuredly he’d take at least a few atbats from other guys who deserve a shot).
Teams put value in elder statesmen for a reason and usually that reason is to help keep a load of young players focused and training. You’re understandably under estimating the value these players bring to the table, no one expects Ichiro to hit which is hardly the reason for his presence.
For the love of God, will someone offer ANYONE a contract!
I would love to see it, but I think it would be neat to see him sign with a team in Japan. NPB will sorely miss Ohtani, getting Ichiro back will help displace that loss, if only for a year or two.
I currently do not see a great fit for Ichiro. Maybe sneak him onto a weak Tigers roster and help them put some butts in the seats. They will likely need some media distractions from how horrible their season will be. He puts up some decent stats and they filp him later in the summer.
took the words out of my mouth. he can teach young guys quite a lot. ichiro is a throwback.
It’s called a rebuild. Yes he would fit nicely for the Tigers but not to help add attendance. The Tigers even with a bad year last year have guys like Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos with Michael Fulmer and a slew of young players that people enjoy watching. If anyone needs help with attendance it would be a team like the Rays or Marlins who rank at the bottom for attendance
when ichiro plays at Comerica the Asian attendance explodes. I don’t have data to support it but have seen it in person.
This actually happens in every stadium, regardless of team. Ichiro is their Babe Ruth and the Asian community will always show up to support the legend.
“The Tigers even with a bad year last year have guys like Miguel Cabrera and Nick Castellanos with Michael Fulmer and a slew of young players that people enjoy watching”
Fun fact…The Tigers attendance has dropped every season for the past 5 years. They’ve gone from 38k/game to 28k/game.
The Tigers Ranked 16th in attendance last year meaning there are 14 teams with worse attendance. Teams like the White Sox, Marlins and reds all could use him. But I do think the tigers would fit because he could teach the young guys
I think that’s a good fit. Veteran leadership for cheap on a rebuilding team.
He must refrain from using illegal drugs?? I didn’t realize that it is ok for me to do illegal things as long as I’m not on probation, at which point I must refrain
You wont have a PO knocking on ur door at 2 AM asking you to pee in a cup. Who cares if you smoke a little as long as ur in ur own home
I think that means they are gonna do random drug testing. I knew someone who was in a similar situation and they would show up at her place randomly and test her.
If you get busted for illegal drugs, you face whatever the consequences would be for or that. But if Duffy gets busted for illegal drugs, the probation is taken away and he then faces the full consequences for the DUI.
He should go back to the Marlins on a cheap contract. They will need some kind of veteran influence.
Can’t afford Ichiro, even on a cheap contract.
they couldn’t afford ichiro if he was paying them to play
Back to Miami? They loved him there and there won’t be much else to watch this season.
I do not understand why Miami does not want to resign him
THIS^^^^
Why does Jeter do anything the way he does?
Cause jeter is a big fat stupid gm
Hill is the Marlins GM. Jeter is the CEO and minority owner. Start with getting the simple things right.
Hill is the President of Baseball Operations. They have yet to hire a GM, and I’d be surprised if they do.
Nobody wants to sign Ichiro because he just isn’t any good any more.
Luckily, Duffy will only have to refrain from illeagal drugs for just 1 year.
Tigers should sign Ichiro
Pirates need an outfielder until Meadows comes up…they could offer Ichiro minimum wage…..
I wonder is Ich would actually play for minimum wage just to stay in the bigs and keep the thing going.
baltimore could fill their wish list if they let teams negotiate with manny about a sign and trade. simple problem, easy fix
It’s not coming from Baltimore Boras and a Machado have already stated they have no interest in negotiating an extension. So it’s not really that simple tbh.
Sounds like the Orioles are making a run at CarGo again. Would 2 years/26 million do the trick or will Boras force a third year?
I would think he would want a one year in the AL east to build his value again.
2/26 is a massive overpay. More like 1/5 or something like that.
Yeah, I could see a one year deal in play, like Nelson Cruz’s 1/8
You sign a free agent contract with oriole’s then they will fail you on the physical
Then you re enter the market two later (already late) as damage goods
Finally you settle for a crap short term contract to prove that you have been playing with these injuries for years.
Anyhow why would any free agent take the risk of getting checked over by the orioles medical staff … that’s dumb!
He’s had such a great career- bring him home Seattle. 1 year deal with a player option let him retire a mariner in the next 2 years and let him have the retirement tour all the greats seem to be getting.
I’d love to see him have his farewell tour with Seattle. Great career and would be nice to see him end in a place that loves him.
If the Mariners were horrible, I’d be in full support, but they’re right on the border of contention. They really can’t afford to give a player like Ichiro (i.e. a quite bad one) regular playing time, because it could legitimately affect their postseason odds
Multiple teams made him offers 2/26 would probably be the biggest offer. I heard between 7-10 a year since how awful he was last year. This Giants offered him a contract at the same time as Bruce who they offered 3/30 cargo was probably 2/16
Gee, I can’t understand why no one wants a singles hitter with an OBP of .318? As a Mariners fan and Ichiro fan, please go home Ichiro, your time has passed!
A true Ichiro fan would never say go back home!
True to that! There are plenty of clubs that will stink it up next year and why not use ichiro as a bench player and platoon player just for the hell of it. Look at every teams fourth or fifth outfielder. Your telling me they are all better than ichiro. Heck no. Most of them are career minor leaguers that bring nothing to the team. Ichiro is an icon. Give him another year and let him retire after and have him to the jeter celebration at all the parks he goes to
Yeah and put the San Diego Chicken at 2nd base. I just hate to see aging stars hanging on for a few self centered stats. Ichiro could care less about helping a team win, he’ll sign with anyone for a couple hits. Using your logic, the A’s should sign R. Henderson
If Ricky is b tree than some of these clowns on mlb rosters than sure, sign him up. Lol. But seriously, What’s wrong with rathering to see an icon than someone like de aza in the outfield.
says who?
The Japan Robins and American Dreams are looking for a 4th outfielder if Ichiro is willing to play in the SNK league.
Angels 4th OF and mentor to Ohtani?
was thinking the same thing
A one day deal to retire a Mariner and then off to Japan to receive his due glory in a couple goodbye seasons in JPL
Well said
Ichiro should go play for the Giants. He wouldn’t even be that much older than most of the roster.
Center field situation solved. Team complete.
The Ich should go to the Giants; aka the “Senior Squad.”
Then they can add Bartolo Colon, to make it a real senior squad.
Braves Nick Markakis has a RF target the O’s and could be very much in play. Braves have had interest in Yeloch and clearing Markakis might help facilitate that (assuming the Acuna inclusion is rectified).
The Braves should pick Ichiro up. Use him to bridge the gap for Acuna, and he’d be a good mentor to their young core.
pirates. 1 yr. can’t be no worse than sean rodriguez
“A Chris Tillman reunion remains possible. The free agent has been working out at the Orioles’ spring complex in Sarasota, Fla. — a favor granted by the team to their longtime rotation stalwart.”
Awfully nice of the Orioles. May help in free agent conversations.