What is Ichiro worth?

[Coug00]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

He's priceless.

<a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003742764_marinotes11.html">Ichiro Quote in PI</a>

"To tell the truth, I'm not excited to go to Cleveland, but we have to," Ichiro said through an interpreter. "If I ever saw myself saying I'm excited going to Cleveland, I'd punch myself in the face, because I'm lying."

Now that the M's are winning Ichiro seems to be having fun again. Hope this means the M's have a better shot at re-signing him.

[The GIGGAS]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

He's priceless.

<a href="http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/sports/2003742764_marinotes11.html">Ichiro Quote in PI</a>



Now that the M's are winning Ichiro seems to be having fun again. Hope this means the M's have a better shot at re-signing him.

Now that's a funny quote.

[SPTO]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

now that's a great quote!

[sbauer318]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

He's an interesting guy. That quote was great, but some of his other quotes are somewhat....strange.

[TheGamingChef]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

Let's see how much the Indians offer him now...

[SPTO]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

He's an interesting guy. That quote was great, but some of his other quotes are somewhat....strange.

You mean like this recentish quote?

"Once I turn 40," he says, "I can become a pitcher. I'm kind of serious about it. But I'll have to learn to throw a knuckleball. Right now, I could be a 'normal' pitcher," who can top out at 95 mph with a fastball.

[sbauer318]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

You mean like this recentish quote?

Yup. That one works. I'd love to see it, though.

This one is somewhat older (beginning of the season). He's referring to Dice-k and, I assume, the fact that he wasn't enjoying his time in Seattle at that point in time.

"I hope he arouses the fire that's dormant in the innermost recesses of my soul. I plan to face him with the zeal of a challenger."

Or this one.

On losing a fly ball in the flint-gray Anaheim sky: "The ball became the same color as the sky. So, I wasn't able to see it. … I was sending mental signals for the ball not to come my way, because during that time of day it's impossible for me to see the ball, so I lacked mental signals. I lacked in that area. … Usually, I don't send mental signals. So, because this is the first time, I thought, 'Please don't come my way.'"

Ever see the movie Signs? That quote reminds me of that.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/mlb_experts/post/Five-and-Fly-Something-gained-in-the-translatio;_ylt=AlZE6MhlcW2mkluHepI0YKsRvLYF?urn=mlb,36247

[SPTO]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

Well you can't say Ichiro is boring that's for sure!

[wangjaz]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

he's eccentric, to say the least.
heard he wasn't very outgoing to the media even when he was in Japan, unlike Matsui, who's been reported to frequent japanese "full service lounge bars" /w his entourage. i will not go into details in what these are :P.
though it seems he's opening up more these days.
I also luved his quotes during the WBC. especially when they lost twice to S. Korea, on how he was so embarassed.
Ichiro even has his own lil museum run by his dad in Japan.
how many players can say that? haha

but seriously, u can't ignore the boatloads of money he brings from TV deals, merchandise etc from Japan. that alone is worth any money he gets.

plus he's a very good player.

[Saber]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

We think Ichiro might be the replacement for once Johnny Damon in New York at the leadoff spot?

[Coug00]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

We think Ichiro might be the replacement for once Johnny Damon in New York at the leadoff spot?

IMO, the New York media and Ichiro are not a good mix. I'd be shocked if he went to New York.

[sammyc521]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

Don't discredit the language translation may not be perfect. Not taking away from what Ichiro said, it's probably going to make 50&#37; more sense in Japanese than directly translated to English.

"All your base are belong to us" anyone?

[wangjaz]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

IMO, the New York media and Ichiro are not a good mix. I'd be shocked if he went to New York.

plus i can't imagine Ichiro playing together /w Matsui. although they are countrymen, they aren't really on the best of terms, and were fierce rivals in Japan and still are.

[DGetz]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

There is an article in the local paper as to what Ichiro's price range would be on the open market. What do you guys think? He turns 34 in October, so he is definitely on the decline. But what value do you put on a guy who will hit .330/.375/.440/.810, will steal 35, plays gold glove defense, and has shown no signs of decline?

Is he worth $20 million per? He is currently getting paid $12.5 million. By comparison, in recent signings, Barry Zito got $18, Soriano got $10, JD Drew got $14, Pettitte got $16, Thome got $15.... Is he more valuable than those guys? I think so.

Last two seasons VORP:

Ichiro: 34.1, 46.4
Soriano: 39.5, 48.2
Drew: 26.9, 34.9
Thome: -1.1 (that terrible year in Philly); 62.6

WARP:
Ichiro: 6.8, 6.9
Drew: 3.9, 7.2
Thome: 1.4, 6.0
Soriano 4.4, 8.7

I think Ichiro has been about on par with those guys, but in some ways it's not fair to compare: first off the market for pitchers is different, but also Thome signed his deal a while ago. On the one hand though some of the attributes that make Thome and Drew valueable (most notabley plate discipline) inprove with age, whereas Ichiro's game is laregly based on speed, which should decline fairly quickly in the next couple year.

Plus there are going to be a lot of FA CFs this year - Ichiro, Andruw, Torri Hunter (I think there is one other big name but who it is escapes me at the moment), so that should drive the price down. On the other hand Ichiros contract is probably somewhat subsidized because he brings in a lot of money from the Japanese market.

A big part of getting big contracts is having the big money teams go after you. The Yankees could go after Ichiro but I'd doubt it; the Red Sox arent likely to pay him a lot given his age and the type of player he is, the Dodgers are comitted to a lot of money for Pierre, the Mets have Beltran....

My guess would be 4 years at 12-13.5 per, but I wouldnt be surprised to see it get as high as 15 (especially if it is a back-loaded contract).

[rdeyes]

Re: What is Ichiro worth?

As an indians fan i really hope the indians dont sign ichiro we have more important players to resign like hafner and sabathia. plus ichiro belongs in seattle besides living in anchorage its awesome seeing him play everyday he makes the game look so easy.