Yankees Acquire Ichiro Suzuki From Mariners
In the trade that shocked the baseball world, the Mariners have sent Ichiro Suzuki to the New York Yankees
for two minor leaguers. The Mariners have also agreed to give the Yankees cash considerations. Ichiro made it known a couple weeks ago that he would like to be traded so that the Mariners could move on and rebuild their team through youth.
"“When I spent time during the All-Star break to think, I realized that this team has many players in their early 20s,” Ichiro said through a translator. “I began to think I should not be on this team next year. I also started to feel a desire to be in an atmosphere that I could have a different kind of stimulation than I have right now.”"
In New York, Ichiro will be playing for a first place ball club. While in Seattle, he was playing for a last place club. The change will give him a real shot at finally winning a World Series – which could be the crowing achievement of a surely Hall of Fame career.
In the deal, the Yankees sent D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar to seattle. Both are considered decent prospects but obviously not untouchable in the Yankees organization. Mitchell made his Major League debut this season on May 1st. He has pitched a total of 4 2/3 this season with an ERA of 3.86. In his minor league career, Mitchell pitched four seasons to the tune of a 3.56 ERA. Farquhar made his Major League debut last season with the Blue Jays. He pitched two innings and gave up four runs. In his minor league career, Farquhar pitched five seasons with a 3.06 ERA.
Ichiro is having the worst season of his career, hitting .261/.288/.353. He has been in decline since last year. However, with the Yankees, Ichiro will play a role left vacant by Brett Gardner. With Gardner out for the season due to surgery, the Yankees needed an outfielder. Ichiro can still play the field and should perform at a level acceptable enough to help the Yankees continue their march to the postseason.
Ichiro spent his first eleven-plus seasons in Seattle after playing first in Japan. He has collected over 2500 hits with the Mariners and played in ten All-Star Games. He likely won’t make another All-Star appearance, but he will eventually be enshrined in Cooperstown.