The rumor train has a majority of free agents linked to the Cubs in some way, but the club may take a restrained approach, reports Jesse Rogers of ESPN Chicago. GM Jed Hoyer hedged against the idea of a “supercharged offseason,” saying “that’s probably overstated.” Hoyer notes that it behooves agents to connect their clients with deep pocketed teams. However, Chicago won’t pass on an opportunity that makes sense, which means a deal with Russell Martin, a front line starting pitcher, or virtually any other free agent could still in the cards. My own perspective: in sales there is a saying – “undersell and over-deliver.” It’s possible Hoyer is preparing fans in case the bidding for Martin or their other top targets exceeds reason.
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (via Twitter) that seven teams are interested in Torii Hunter including the Twins and Royals. Hunter has also been strongly linked to the Tigers in recent weeks. The 39-year-old outfielder has been remarkably consistent throughout his 17 year career. Teams presumably view Hunter as a corner outfielder or designated hitter. One team that isn’t in on Hunter is the Mets, tweets Marc Carig of Newsday.
- In an interview airing Monday for MLB Network, Ichiro Suzuki will announce his intention to play in 2015, writes Chad Jennings of LoHud.com. Ichiro admits he’s unsure where he’ll suit up, since it depends on a team having a need for a 41-year-old outfielder. Given the relatively thin outfield market, there should be plenty of opportunities for a player who hit .284/.324/.340 in 385 plate appearances.
- The Indians shouldn’t trade Francisco Lindor just because he might fail to reach his ceiling, writes Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group in his latest Hey, Hoynsie. The 21-year-old acquitted himself well in Triple-A, even if the performance wasn’t phenomenal. Lindor is generally viewed as a top 10 prospect by scouts, so his trade value is significant. My own take: while the Indians have Jose Ramirez at the major league level, there’s no reason to force a deal based on that modicum of depth. Either player could be moved to another position when the time comes. Moreover, as a budget conscious franchise, the Indians can’t simply deal Lindor for just any established star. They would need to identify another relatively inexpensive target like Josh Donaldson.
I would love to see the Sox bring in Ichiro Suzuki and bat him between Eaton and Abreu. I think he can still play at least 5 days a week and be productive.
He shouldn’t though. A powerless corner outfielder with declining defense.
While you’re at it, why don’t you bring back Minnie Minoso to play right? I think Ichiro is just a year or two older than Minnie?
How about Ichiro taking Aoki’s spot in KC
Believe me, you wouldn’t want Ichiro as an everyday starter.
I can’t see Ichiro being any worse than Aoki defensively. He has a better arm and better instincts and he had a higher average than Aoki did this season.
Not the greatest comparison, Ichiro did all that in a part-time role. His numbers would have likely decreased if he played everyday.
And they Did decrease when he played everyday as you can see where I posted below.
I’m not sure why you’re using batting average , but what you posted is incorrect. Aoki hit .285, Ichiro hit .284
The 3 months Ichiro had the most plate appearances were July (.224 BA), June (.257 BA) and September (.282 BA). All 3 below his season batting average.
He’s serviceable , but he cannot be counted on as an everyday player.
Definitely not an everyday starter but Ichiro did do fairly well when his playing time was moderated.
Here’s to hoping he gets 3000 hits for his MLB career.
I didn’t say everyday. 4-5 days platooning him in right field/dh. Its not like we would be signing him to anything bigger than say 1 year, $3-4 million with a second year team option. If he can’t play anymore, then release him. If he can play, then you made a good bargain signing. Then Sox can sign voice of reasons player for the other 2-3 days. They are close in age. Ichiro is 41 and Minnie is 90. (V of R, did you go to a Chicago Public School BTW)?Minnie is still in great shape by the way for 90.
Huh? I was responding to haymaker who mentioned him taking Aoki’s spot in KC. I didn’t say anything about the White Sox.
Ichiro is finished, I watched him play and decline last year.
He’s not an everyday Outfielder anymore by any stretch.
Offers no power at all, at best he’s good for late inning defense.
He never was a power hitter, but he is someone who has over 4000 hits and might be the best defensive right fielder in history. A sure first ballot hall of famer who can still help offensively, defensively and leadership wise.
Until teams aren’t handcuffed into paying bad contracts for bad players forcing them to suit up, like BJ Upton in ATL, Ichiro will have a job. He could start tomorrow in ATL and be a better (and cheaper) alternative for a team that can’t find a way to get on base.
i want to see if Ichiro goes through with his promise to become a pitcher and play until he’s 50
now’s as good a time as any to break out that fabled knuckleball of his.
I think I might buy this from the Cubs. I’m not sure 2015 is the year to push the chips in. They have Rizzo until 2021. Castro until 2020. Arrieta until 2018. All the young guys for a while.
I think it might be wise to take a wait and see approach because if a couple of the young guys don’t work out, you’ll know. 2015-2016 has a rich pitching class with Cueto,Fister,Zimmermann,Kazmir,Latos,Price,Samardjiza,Porcello, and Kennedy on the market. Matt Wieters could also be on the market, And think that might be the year for the Cubs to strike. I think a mid rotation starter along with Martin would be a good off-season. Show me you can contend for a wild card with an upgrade or two + young guys and than spend big.
Assuming that they won’t bring him back, as much as he struggled as an everyday player, it was still fun watching Ichiro in pinstripes. I’ve been to well over 50 Yankee games and he hit the first ever walkoff win I saw in person.
Remember that stretch he had when he was first acquired by the Yankees? The dude was a joy to watch hit.
Ichiro + Torii Hunter is the perfect “Old Guy Platoon” in RF.
Aside from being L/R, they are complimentary. Ichiro is a better defender and baserunner. Hunter is a better hitter. Both would be excellent pinch hitters…and could see some game action in about 120 games with a smart manager.
One team can probably get both for about $12MM.
I love this idea. I am sold. But, whomever they play for should have a ton of young talent they can mentor. That is where they are really worth their money right now.
Edit: Although, don’t let Ichiro teach anyone how to bat.
It seems many posters believe that Aoki is a poor defender and was removed for defensive purposes in later innings last year. So if you are Detroit,who needs to add left handed bats, why not a platoon of Aoki and Ichiro for right field. You keep the lefty bat all game and get to watch a great veteran hitter play with someone who admired him so much he tried to duplicate his success. It would be a great story. You could get both of them for less than or equal to a Hunter/Ichiro deal.
I’m guessing Aoki would be looking for a team that would make him be an everyday player as opposed to being a platoon player. Again…just a guess on my part.
I was thinking more of a 7th inning replacement role for Ichiro when needed and also playing time in LF,CF, and PH,
Just listening to the radio on the way home and the guy was saying Hoyers key word was “probably”. As in probably overstated. In other words if they think they can make a run they will spend whatever they have to, if they dont think they can get all the key guys they will take a pass on most free agents.
If I were Cleveland, I wouldn’t trade Lindor for Donaldson straight up. Donaldson will be entering his age 29 season, meanwhile if Lindor’s bat is even average, he’ll be one of the best shortstops in the majors for a longer, cheaper time period than Donaldson’s soon to be regressing age 29+ seasons.
Both are good players, but if you’re going to trade a special prospect like Lindor, you do it for a younger bat or more preferably starting pitching.
Correct. The best thing for the Tribe to do would be explore trading Jason Kipnis (who’ll be 28 on opening day) and his $50 million obligation for a cheap RF option like Van Slyke, then when Lindor is ready, stick Ramirez at second base, and watch that young pitching hum with some real defense up the middle. And when Urshela is ready, that set of infield gloves will be incredible.
If we could find a way to take the massive financial hit of BJ Upton, Torii Hunter patrolling the OF in ATL would, in my mind, be the best scenario for the maturation of a team without a leader, especially for Heyward. I know Hunter will get massive short-term contracts from other, better situations, but leaving BJ Upton on someone’s doorstep, trading Justin Upton for a short-supply of prospects and/or pitcher, and signing Hunter, thus moving Heyward over to CF, would be a dream scenario.