Ichiro apparently disliked by teammates

[Invader3K]

http://seattletimes.nwsou...rs/2008204666_mari26.html

 

"He did say that former manager John McLaren and his staff were forced to act this season after a player was overheard talking about Ichiro and wanting to "knock him out."

 

Interesting article. Is this just frustrated teammates on an abysmal team venting, or is there more to it than that? You have to wonder if the Mariners might finally trade Ichiro this off season.

[endaround]

It's the fact that the Mariners treat Japanese players differently due to marketing concerns. See Kenji Johjima's contract extension. Ichiro isn't going anywhere.

[craigharmann]

Ichiro for Hart? Maybe throw in another minor leaguer? Got your leadoff guy there!

[Fatter than Joey]

It's the fact that the Mariners treat Japanese players differently due to marketing concerns.

 

Right, the other guys will get traded first.

[Invader3K]

Well, it's true since Nintendo owns the Mariners and they certainly love having one of the biggest Japanese stars of all time on the team...but how many 100 loss seasons can any team take? They're obviously going to have to make massive changes this off season. If he's really that disliked, why wouldn't they at least consider moving him?

[endaround]

Because he makes them money and they won't get anything good for him considering his contract anyway. He turns 35 in a month, wasn't good this year and is still owed $17m a year over the next 4! years.

[Fatter than Joey]

If he's really that disliked, why wouldn't they at least consider moving him?

 

He sells a ton of merch.

[Invader3K]

wasn't good this year

He's batting .311, and has over 40 stolen bases. I think we could use one or two guys who "aren't good" like that on our team right now.

[endaround]

And he hit for no power. You already have Weeks and everybody hates him.

[Invader3K]

And he hit for no power. You already have Weeks and everybody hates him.

I'm not advocating that the Brewers go after him, I just think you're really dismissing his value as a player.

[Fatter than Joey]

And he hit for no power. You already have Weeks and everybody hates him.

 

Weeks can't play D, and has a sub 100 OPS. Ichiro is still a decent player. The M's are still one of the top revenue teams in MLB -- largely because of Ichiro and the millions of $$ he generates in TV contracts.

[joepepsi]

There were rumors Hargrove resigned mid-season because Ichiro hated him and threatened to go free agent if he wasn't removed.

[Invader3K]

There were rumors Hargrove resigned mid-season because Ichiro hated him and threatened to go free agent if he wasn't removed.

Yeah, I had heard that as well. Ownership probably pressured him consequently.

[JoeHova]

This seems just like the normal "blame all the problems on the best player" mentality that is prevalent in sports. I mean, look at how they hate A-Rod in NY. (note: I'm not saying Ichiro is as good.)

[fondybrewfan]

I heard Ichiro hates puppies......and Starbucks

[fallingleaves]

Ichiro is a future hall of famer, one of my favourite ball players today.

[GAME05]

for a team as bad as the Ms, it sure doesn't surprise me. you're 20-whatever games back, have no chance, and then if you get some guy knocking you for a bad at-bat, no doubt that generates a lot of animosity. i wonder how much cultural differences play a part in it.

[Playing Catch]

Generally, I'm not one for conspiracy-style theories, but I think there is a strong possibility that M's management leaks anti-Ichiro sentiment to make a trade more palatable to the M's fan-base. He's one of the few trading chips they have (say what you will about on-field performance, the guy is worth a lot of money and teams would be willing to part with talent to get him). So perhaps they are just laying the groundwork for an off-season trade.

[GAME05]

but then doesn't that also make him less palatable to potential trading partners?

[southpaw121505]

Ichiro for Hart? Maybe throw in another minor leaguer? Got your leadoff guy there!

Crazy, I was just doing some random pondering and I was thinking about trading Hart. Preferably for an OF that can play cf or rf and leadoff, and preferably left handed.

 

RF Ichiro

SS Hardy

LF Braun

1B Prince

CF Cameron

3B platoon(Lamb/Hall..Branyan/Hall)

2B Weeks

C Kendall

 

not likely but looks fun

[Brewtacular]

This doesn't surprise me. Mostly anecdotal but for the most part Ichiro is well known in Japan for being kinda smug and a borderline jerk. This is part of the reason Matsui has always been much more famous. Add in the random, hilarious in my opinion, comments about South Korea and Cleveland and you definitely get a better feel for the guy. That being said...I really like Ichiro and it would be cool to have him.