Ichiro Suzuki came to the Yankees, at his request, in a trade for two prospects Monday, and Alexander "The Great" Rodriguez went down last night with a broken hand after you went to bed. Early estimates say he'll be out 6-8 weeks, which takes us to the last couple weeks of the season.
Despite getting swept in a four-game series in Oakland, the Yankees have maintained a seven-game lead in the AL East, still owning the best record in the majors.
Despite getting swept in a four-game series in Oakland, the Yankees have maintained a seven-game lead in the AL East, still owning the best record in the majors.
Can Ichiro make up for the loss of A-Rod? Possibly, but unlikely. Quick comparison:
- .261/.288/.352, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 16 SB
- .274/.354/.449, 15 HR, 44 RBI, 11 SB
I don't think it's very hard to determine who's who. Obviously, the Yankees lost a ton of production, even in an off-year for A-Rod.
Some say that Ichiro has been bored in Seattle the past couple seasons, and it might be a good excuse; the team hasn't finished above .500 since 2009. But his slide in production could also be attributed to his date of birth: 10/22/73. That was almost 39 years ago, and it's safe to say the 262-hit king from 2004 is long gone.
Ichiro can't replace A-Rod's production, but he can help fill the void of Brett Gardner, who is likely done for the year.
If only it were 2006. Just look at what Ichiro, Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez did that year.
Some say that Ichiro has been bored in Seattle the past couple seasons, and it might be a good excuse; the team hasn't finished above .500 since 2009. But his slide in production could also be attributed to his date of birth: 10/22/73. That was almost 39 years ago, and it's safe to say the 262-hit king from 2004 is long gone.
Ichiro can't replace A-Rod's production, but he can help fill the void of Brett Gardner, who is likely done for the year.
If only it were 2006. Just look at what Ichiro, Andruw Jones and Raul Ibanez did that year.
- Ichiro: .322, 9 HR, 39 RBI, 45 SB
- Jones: .262, 41 HR, 129 RBI
- Ibanez: .289, 33 HR, 123 RBI
Bottom line: The Yankees are still in good shape, and it's pretty cool to see a guy I would trade to the Yankees to stack my team in video games as a little boy. He looks good.
