Ichiro Gets Traded, Seriously!

This has sure been a year of the unprecedented for the Mariners and Ichiro. First he started the year batting third. Then he got benched and move to second in the order. Finally, today the Mariners did something that was previously thought to be improbable if not impossible, they traded the legendary Ichiro Suzuki to the Yankees. For the future hall of famer the Yankees gave the Mariners two minor league pitchers. Even more shocking is that Ichiro requested the trade to make room for younger players on the Mariners. He was often portrayed as a selfish me first player by the media, but this move seems to counter that notion. I for one have always been a big Ichiro fan and I feel sad and glad to see him go

I feel sad because for the last nine of the last eleven years Ichiro has been a stalwart for the Mariners. When you went to a game you could always count on Ichiro playing and playing well. With his highlight reel defense and speed based offense, he brought excitement to what were often boring games. Losing Ichiro severs a tie to between the Mariners and one of the most successful players in the clubs history. It ends an era and leaves us with a void for fan favorite players.We basically have Felix now. (So, no pressure Felix!)

I am also glad to see him go. For the last two years he has struggled and he has taken up a spot on a rebuilding team which could have been used for an audition for a young player. That spot wouldn't have been that big of a deal if Ichiro had continued to produce at or near his career norms, but he didn't. Instead he was a below league average hitter. His presence hurt the team. During that time I would have liked to see guys like Trayvon Robinson and Casper Wells play more often to understand what they can offer. Now we get a chance for exactly that.

I also am glad to see that he finally gets a chance to play for a contender. In his long storied career in MLB Ichiro has only played for one playoff team. That was his rookie season in 2001. A guy of his skill deserves a chance to try and win a world series and the Yankees provide him one of the best chances for that. I hope he enjoys his time with the Yankees and that they make the playoffs (I dont however hope they win the whole thing. I cant bring myself to do that).

This trade also makes me wonder what the Ichiro haters going to attack now?  We dont have any other good players for them to undervalue and disrespect. What are they going to do attack Justin Smoak, that is way to easy. Maybe they will turn on Felix and complain that he doesnt throw fast enough. Some of them might even jump sports and start attacking Keith Price and Husky Football. If we are all lucky they will just shut up and go away.

Sure he had his warts, but almost every player does. Overall he was one of the greatest Mariners ever and I hope fans remember him that way.