tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339646220153814400.post3951420480655171521..comments2023-12-31T01:02:49.340-05:00Comments on FOR BASEBALL JUNKIES: Players Likely To Be Traded: MLB on the Block@OCP22http://www.blogger.com/profile/06983828112048757251noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339646220153814400.post-47737234177122327612012-06-06T10:09:52.620-04:002012-06-06T10:09:52.620-04:00There are plenty of articles out there suggesting ...There are plenty of articles out there suggesting that the Mariners need to trade Ichiro and I agree with the premise whole heartedly. I doubt it will happen but I think the Mariners will listen to offers. It would sting and most people close to the situation assume that Ichiro doesn't want to play anywhere else... But... besides Ichiro's preference and the sting of losing a 12 year franchise player, all signs point westward. He's a free agent after this season, he's 38 years old (never played in a World Series; only one postseason berth in 12 seasons), his skill set is declining and the Mariners are not really in contention. I think that he could have some value on the open market and as September approaches, the thought of ending his career without having the opportunity to play in a World Series has to begin creeping into Ichiro's mind. But beyond that, the Mariners almost have to listen to offers and here's why- the Mariners will not offer Ichiro arbitration (Ichiro would accept arbitration and they won't want to pay the arbitration price - given his decline, he's not worth what he has done over the past few years) so at that point Ichiro becomes a free agent... no compensatory picks... and all bets are off. Once agents and money get involved, funny things happen and as I mentioned, Ichiro has not played in a World Series. If they don't trade Ichiro, the scenarios are a.)Ichiro in RF again next year (the fans aren't exactly thrilled with that proposition right now as Ichiro is posting a .655 OPS in right field) or no Ichiro and get nothing return. I think they have to give him an extension now or brace themselves for the possibility that they may need to trade him before the end of this season.@OCP22https://www.blogger.com/profile/06983828112048757251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339646220153814400.post-12948271648022118382012-06-06T08:42:40.569-04:002012-06-06T08:42:40.569-04:00I don't see Ichiro on the market. That would ...I don't see Ichiro on the market. That would be a PR disaster in Seattle. I know they've let A-Rod, Griffey and Randy all leave, but Ichiro? I don't think it will happen.hershhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07095348599514214434noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339646220153814400.post-915634730743461302012-06-03T08:33:27.331-04:002012-06-03T08:33:27.331-04:00I think you are probably right with the Mets- they...I think you are probably right with the Mets- they're as likely to be standing pat as they are to be selling because they don't have a whole lot to sell BUT if the negotiations don't work out between the Mets and David Wright, they will have to trade him. He could fetch a huge return especially given the number of teams in need of help at third base. The reality is they're one or two years away if their young talent holds up. You can't expect them to be buyers yet.@OCP22https://www.blogger.com/profile/06983828112048757251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2339646220153814400.post-29799299124776942102012-06-02T11:02:54.050-04:002012-06-02T11:02:54.050-04:00I'm not 100% convinced the Mets will be seller...I'm not 100% convinced the Mets will be sellers at the break. Their only real chip is Wright, and NY rumor mills have it that the Mets might actually try to re-sign him. They have a real nice young nucleus right now with some really good pitching prospects in the farm system. They probably need another basher or two (which they can get once Bay is gone). If they can develop Ike and Duda to go along with Wright and Murphy, maybe they compete the next few years.Mchttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01834032474182586162noreply@blogger.com