Seattle Mariners Rumors: Ichiro Suzuki Return A Reality For Mariners?
Seattle Mariners rumors about Ichiro Suzuki are turning some heads. The Mariners traded Ichiro to the New York Yankees in 2012, partly as a way to improve a young roster, but also because the future Hall of Fame player wanted a chance at the World Series. Now, a report in the Seattle Times from late Sunday (June 28) suggests that the Mariners should bring Ichiro back for another try.
With a lack of offense during the 2015 MLB season, the Seattle Mariners have struggled to remain relevant in the American League West. As of Monday (June 29), the Mariners own fourth place in the division with a 34-42 record. It has been ugly on offense, with only one hitter posting a better on-base percentage than what Ichiro Suzuki had last week. The possible solution? Trading a small package to re-acquire the 10-time Gold Glove winning outfielder.
Now a move by the Mariners to trade for Ichiro might seem desperate, and in reality that is exactly the case. The problem is that the team is in a desperate position now, and more Seattle Mariners rumors suggest a “fire sale” taking place than an actually run at the postseason. The other thing to consider, is that after the injury to Giancarlo Stanton, the expense in trading for Ichiro just went up. Now the Miami Marlins have a bargaining chip that could get cashed in before the MLB trade deadline. In parts of 73 games for the Marlins, Ichiro has gone 42-for-158 at the plate this season (.266 average).
As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Ichiro Suzuki was part of an amicable trade that sent him to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitchers Danny Farquhar and D.J. Mitchell. He put up good numbers with the Yankees over two and a half seasons, batting.281 with 49 stolen bases. It earned him a free agent deal with the Miami Marlins to become a fourth outfielder for the team this past offseason. Though some baseball analysts say he has lost a step, Ichiro can also still play all three outfield positions.
With 2,886 hits, a lifetime batting average of.316, and 493 steals to his name, Ichiro Suzuki should be a first ballot inductee into the Baseball Hall of Fame. What some of his fans back in Seattle would love to see is for Ichiro to reach that 3,000-hit mark while in a Mariners’ uniform. If these Seattle Mariners trade rumors turn into anything, it’s certainly possible that he could accomplish that in the 2016 MLB season if given enough at-bats. If nothing else, at least it will put more fans in the seats at Safeco Field.
[Image Source: Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images]
