Is Ichiro worth signing? - Talksox

Lord Snow · 11-25-2012, 09:03 PM

The Sox have a need in right field. Right field at Fenway is being known for being a little more challenging to handle than most right fields in baseball.

There are lot of options for the outfield that will seemingly be overpaid this off-season.

Torii Hunter is off the table. The Cody Ross negotiations aren't going anywhere.

Ichiro represents a low-cost option for the Sox. We all know he is an above average defender, even at age 39.

At the plate he has never been a great OBP or SLG guy but he showed last year with the Yankees he could still hit for average.

He still has decent speed. And the Red Sox seemingly need a leadoff hitter (with Jacoby likely moving to the middle of the order in 2013).

If Ichiro can go .300/.340/.400 I'd be okay with him batting leadoff. He wouldn't be ideal, but maybe he could bridge the gap until Jackie Bradley is ready.

The Sox can almost certainly get him for 1-year $5M if they guarantee him a starting job and let him bat leadoff.

jacksonianmarch · 11-25-2012, 09:09 PM

He's looking for 1 yr $8 mil and a starting job and there are a few teams offering him something of the sort. He sounds like he is giving the Yankees the first crack

SoxSport · 11-26-2012, 12:18 AM

Worth it only in NY--Yankee stadium. He can't play anywhere else anymore.

Only in NY can he score from 3B taking a detour into the visitor's dugout to avoid the catcher's tag.

Spitball · 11-26-2012, 12:33 AM

The last two years he has OPSed below .700. I hope the Red Sox let him sign with the Yankees.

Spitball · 11-26-2012, 12:48 AM

For their careers, Ichiro has a lower career OBP than Adam Dunn. I find that amazing. Despite Ichiro's batting averages, he has been on base at a lower rate than a guy who typically hits around .245.

I don't want Ichiro.

BSN07 · 11-26-2012, 08:16 AM

Very simply no. He's not a fit in Boston. He's a much better fit for NY and I think he re-signs there.

rjortiz · 11-26-2012, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lord Snow

The Sox have a need in right field. Right field at Fenway is being known for being a little more challenging to handle than most right fields in baseball.

There are lot of options for the outfield that will seemingly be overpaid this off-season.

Torii Hunter is off the table. The Cody Ross negotiations aren't going anywhere.

Ichiro represents a low-cost option for the Sox. We all know he is an above average defender, even at age 39.

At the plate he has never been a great OBP or SLG guy but he showed last year with the Yankees he could still hit for average.

He still has decent speed. And the Red Sox seemingly need a leadoff hitter (with Jacoby likely moving to the middle of the order in 2013).

If Ichiro can go .300/.340/.400 I'd be okay with him batting leadoff. He wouldn't be ideal, but maybe he could bridge the gap until Jackie Bradley is ready.

The Sox can almost certainly get him for 1-year $5M if they guarantee him a starting job and let him bat leadoff.

You are in love, Lord Snow.

a700hitter · 11-26-2012, 11:57 AM

He can still run, field and throw very well. He'd be a better RF at Fenway than Drew. He's still tough to pitch too. I think he's worth a 1 year contract.

SoxSport · 11-26-2012, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSN07

Very simply no. He's not a fit in Boston. He's a much better fit for NY and I think he re-signs there.

There are a lot of ageing LHd hitters who are perfect fits in Yankee Stadium. The Yankees have half of them already.

jacksonianmarch · 11-26-2012, 10:00 PM

The thing in NY is that he would be a placeholder. The Yankees have 3 very talented OFers starting in Trenton (AA) this yr. Only one needs to emerge to take that spot in RF for 2014

Spitball · 11-26-2012, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by a700hitter

He can still run, field and throw very well. He'd be a better RF at Fenway than Drew. He's still tough to pitch too. I think he's worth a 1 year contract.

He has OPSed below .700 the last two seasons. I think Kalish and a number of other options can do that for far less money. I'd be pissed if the Sox wasted money on a guy who once was decent but now is just a famous name.

jacksonianmarch · 11-26-2012, 11:49 PM

He did hit .322 with the Yankees last yr.

Spitball · 11-27-2012, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jacksonianmarch

He did hit .322 with the Yankees last yr.

But, over a much larger sample size, he had a .307 OBP and .696 OPS for the year. You guys can have him. For a corner outfielder, those are not great numbers, especially at an inflated salary.

rjortiz · 11-27-2012, 01:21 AM

I'm not sold on Brentz, so I'd rather take Swisher at $52 million over 4.

Lucienbel · 11-27-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BSN07

Very simply no. He's not a fit in Boston. He's a much better fit for NY and I think he re-signs there.

Agreed. I think at least for the short term he helps solve outfield problems for NY. At this very moment, it seems like the Red Sox would benefit from having some corner outfielders with pop in their bat.