Another season of cellar dwelling could have the Seattle Mariners making more changes as we head towards the non-waiver trade deadline. One of these changes though could signal the end of era in the Pacific Northwest.
The face of the Seattle Mariners franchise for over the past decade, Ichiro will turn 39-years-old this October and has since seen his 10 year streak of 200+ hits a season come to an end last year. In addition to that, his on-base percentage has dipped to a career-low (.290), as has his batting average has also seen much better days (.265).
Judging from where the Seattle Mariners are at this point of the season and where they could be going, Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times wonders if it’s time to trade the aging star?
Ichiro should be easy to trade, but he isn’t. There are no secrets about him. Scouts know he’s not a team guy. Scouts know he doesn’t look at enough pitches during an at-bat. They know he is most concerned with volume.
These are probably the last months Seattle will get to watch Ichiro. There is no way he should be re-signed. He’s not one of the wily veterans every rebuilding team needs in the lineup.
It certainly has been a tough year if you’re a Seattle sports fan. First you see what use to be your team in the Oklahoma City Thunder make their way to the NBA Finals. You’ve had to suffer through another tough season of Mariners baseball and now the most recognizable sports figure of the past decade could be on the move. Sports is a tough business sometimes but there’s no denying that it’s in the best interest for the Mariners to cut ties with Ichiro.
Ref: Seattle Times
