2012 Ichiro Performance Thread

[snapple]

No, I mean Ichiro in RF full time and Dickerson as a 4th OFer. His L/R splits are nearly identical.

[rajah]

The Yankees need and will sign or trade for an OFer who has particular success against LHed pitching. That OFer may sometimes be the DH against lefties as well. I assume this OFer will bat right because few players have continuing reverse splits.

This is going to happen whether you see the logic in it or not. The team is not going to have every one of its OFers bat from the left side.

[JL25and3]

The Yankees need and will sign or trade for an OFer who has particular success against LHed pitching. That OFer may sometimes be the DH against lefties as well. I assume this OFer will bat right because few players have continuing reverse splits.

This is going to happen whether you see the logic in it or not. The team is not going to have every one of its OFers bat from the left side.

I know this isn't really your point, but Ichiro! has never had a significant lefty-righty split. The big question is whether he'll hit .320 or .270, without an L-R split either way.

[rajah]

You are right; it was not my point. The Yankees need and will get for 2013 a RHed-hitting OFer, regardless of whether they sign Ichiro and/or Ibanez, or both. That OFer will not just be, or even primarily be, for platooning with Ichiro, but will be projected into the lineup at least against lefties, in place of any of the OFers or LHed-hitting DH, depending on who is hitting and healthy.

The RHed-hitting OFer conceivably could be good enough to be projected as a regular OFer as well; this would probably mean that Ichiro was not signed, however.

[JL25and3]

You are right; it was not my point. The Yankees need and will get for 2013 a RHed-hitting OFer, regardless of whether they sign Ichiro and/or Ibanez, or both. That OFer will not just be, or even primarily be, for platooning with Ichiro, but will be projected into the lineup at least against lefties, in place of any of the OFers or LHed-hitting DH, depending on who is hitting and healthy.

The RHed-hitting OFer conceivably could be good enough to be projected as a regular OFer as well; this would probably mean that Ichiro was not signed, however.

If the Yankees do sign him, I hope they also sign someone else who would compete for a starting job.

[Bleacher_Creature]

From RAB
Report: Yankees re-sign Ichiro

By Mike Axisa
According to a report in Nikkan Sports, the Yankees have re-signed Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract worth $5M plus incentives. There hasn’t been any other confirmation yet. More to come.

Update: Yankees have not re-signed Ichiro
By Mike Axisa
10:10am: Erik Boland hears there is “no truth” to the report, so the Yankees have not re-signed Ichiro.

[BronxYanks45]

From RAB
Report: Yankees re-sign Ichiro

By Mike Axisa
According to a report in Nikkan Sports, the Yankees have re-signed Ichiro Suzuki to a one-year contract worth $5M plus incentives. There hasn’t been any other confirmation yet. More to come.

would be awesome, but then confirmation of the end of the Swisher era

[snapple]

This is the kind of deal you want Ichiro on.

[JL25and3]

This is the kind of deal you want Ichiro on.

That kind of deal, plus another outfielder who can compete with him for a starting job. They really should be prepared for the possibility that what we saw was not a career revival but a last gasp.

[GordonGecko]

Nice, an extra year of opportunities for JL25and3 to bash his potential!

[ymike673]

would be awesome, but then confirmation of the end of the Swisher era

Swisher wants a multi-year deal. His era is over no matter what happens with Ichiro.

[Mr Coffee]

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

That kind of deal, plus another outfielder who can compete with him for a starting job. They really should be prepared for the possibility that what we saw was not a career revival but a last gasp.

Agreed. And even if you just look at his Yankee numbers, he's a downgrade from Swisher.

[snapple]

Eh, but Ichiro is a HUGE defensive upgrade. Swisher had a cannon, but he made some pretty glaring plays this season. More than I really cared to remember. Plus, people want "manufactured" runs. This will help. Our outfield will be amazing this season. Well, if they move Granderson to left.

[snapple]

In concurrence with Mr. Coffee, Erik Boland is reporting there is "no truth" to the Ichiro rumor.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Eh, but Ichiro is a HUGE defensive upgrade. Swisher had a cannon, but he made some pretty glaring plays this season. More than I really cared to remember. Plus, people want "manufactured" runs. This will help. Our outfield will be amazing this season. Well, if they move Granderson to left.

Agree that Ichiro is better defensively, but it's not going to make up for the loss in offense. As for "manufactured" runs, while I respect Ichiro's ability to run and put the bat on the ball, he got on base a lot less than Swisher (even just looking at his Yankee stats) which has to hurt in that regard, right?

I actually like what Ichiro brings to the Yankees, just question if it's the best thing to make him a full-time, starting OF with Gardner and Granderson

[snapple]

I've never been a huge fan of Swisher. I mean, he's probably a nice guy. But, I'm glad he won't be on the Yankees next season.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

I've never been a huge fan of Swisher. I mean, he's probably a nice guy. But, I'm glad he won't be on the Yankees next season.

Unless he ends up with some kind of crazy, below market deal, I don't think Swisher would have represented money well spent with the current budget realities. That said, if they make Ichiro the full time RF it will likely have a negative impact. I'd prefer to see them bring someone else in as well

[JL25and3]

Nice, an extra year of opportunities for JL25and3 to bash his potential!

I'm not bashing him, and I hope he hits .330. I just don't think the Yankees should count on it.

[ymike673]

Agree that Ichiro is better defensively, but it's not going to make up for the loss in offense. As for "manufactured" runs, while I respect Ichiro's ability to run and put the bat on the ball, he got on base a lot less than Swisher (even just looking at his Yankee stats) which has to hurt in that regard, right?

I actually like what Ichiro brings to the Yankees, just question if it's the best thing to make him a full-time, starting OF with Gardner and Granderson

If they resign Ibanez he could play RF sometimes to spell Ichiro. A downgrade defensively but he does have more power than Ichiro.

[just-blaze]

If they resign Ibanez he could play RF sometimes to spell Ichiro. A downgrade defensively but he does have more power than Ichiro.

Both can have the LHP problem. Hairston for 4th OF, Ibanez for PH/DH/5th OF, please.

[Yankee Fan in Boston]

Both can have the LHP problem. Hairston for 4th OF, Ibanez for PH/DH/5th OF, please.

Yes, a RH Of would complement all 3 OF positions if Ichiro is signed. And I'd prefer not to see Ibanez in any kind of OF rotation defensively -- also, his splits, while SSS, also argue that he should be restricted to DH.

[just-blaze]

Yes, a RH Of would complement all 3 OF positions if Ichiro is signed. And I'd prefer not to see Ibanez in any kind of OF rotation defensively -- also, his splits, while SSS, also argue that he should be restricted to DH.

Right. 5th OF is more an emergency position than anything. Id prefer if we only use Ibanez to put fear in the hearts of RHP, too. Horrid defender.

Hairston would temper the power loss of Swisher, and play some infield positions too. Really as ideal as it can get for the Yankees situation. They better get it done.

[False1]

Right. 5th OF is more an emergency position than anything. Id prefer if we only use Ibanez to put fear in the hearts of RHP, too. Horrid defender.

Hairston would temper the power loss of Swisher, and play some infield positions too. Really as ideal as it can get for the Yankees situation. They better get it done.

I know this is blasphemous but in spite of his insane finish to the season I wouldn't bank on Ibanez striking fear in pitchers.

[The Comic Book Guy]

If Ichiro can manage a ~.310 wOBA as an everyday player (without slipping significantly in the field or on the base paths), I think he'd actually be roughly as valuable as Swish if they moved Granderson to RF and put Ichiro in center. And despite the positional adjustment, it might even help Granderson if you buy that he's been as horrid defensively as most metrics seem to indicate.

Though on the other hand, Gardner in CF could potentially be a top-10 player. But it's just a thought, in the event that they do bring Ichiro back,