Ichiro's first day of training: Mixed messages? Future in doubt?

[RotatorCuff]

So we shouldn't cry about Ichiro?

Sorry dude but probabbly the only thing I rememeber about my several trips to Safeco Field over the past 3 seasons are outstanding plays made by Ichiro.

I just cry about this team in general.

I still remember last off season when I was trying to convince you that the Mariners were still bad and you were trying to convince me otherwise.

Guess what Jason, another last plce finish is on the way.

Enjoy!

[RotatorCuff]

Oh and how could I forget how you slammed me on my views about Ben Broussard.

Yeah, he really brings a lot to the table.

[Goose]

Come on RC, no reason to be bringing up old arguments in new threads. Let's stick to the topic at hand.

[RotatorCuff]

Okay Goose. Got to admit I'm trying to stir the pot a little.

Jason just rubs me the wrong way and if I knew he wasn't intentionally trying to do it then I wouldn't mind.

[Goose]

Ok, but lets discuss the topics/posts not the posters.

[RotatorCuff]

You are right.

[bedir than average]

Baseball: Ichiro's agent denies Japanese star will dump Mariners - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

SEATTLE, United States (AFP) - Ichiro Suzuki is not prepared to leave the Seattle Mariners as a free agent after the 2007 season, the Japanese baseball star's agent reportedly said.

The Seattle Times reported Saturday that Tony Attanasio disputed a report in Japan that the outfielder would leave the Major League Baseball club after the end of a four-year, 44 million-dollar contract he signed after the 2003 season.

"We stand today where we stood weeks ago, months ago," Attanasio told the newspaper. "We have told the club that when they are prepared to talk, we would listen. I didn't say we would negotiate. I said we would listen.

Nothing to see here, well, if Agents are truthsayers, or if Sansei is wrong

[bedir than average]

Is Ichiro in Mariners' future?

Hargrove reiterated Wednesday that Suzuki will be in center field this season, for the first time regularly. Newly signed Jose Guillen, coming off ligament-replacement surgery in his throwing arm, will be in Suzuki's former spot of right field.

later

Yamauchi will likely have final say on what the Mariners offer their most important and recognizable player.

"The Japanese ownership is Nintendo and I have been part of Nintendo for 25 years, so I keep Nintendo advised to what is going on," Lincoln said, when asked how much Yamauchi will be involved in negotiations on extending Suzuki's contract. "They are certainly very interested because the games are broadcast back to Japan. We have many Japanese fans."

This topic won't die.

[Top Cat]

Today's paper indicates that resigning Suzuki is the M's number one priority.

as if anyone doubted otherwise. We've known all along all that winning wasn't the number one priority.

[bedir than average]

Yes, but for the first time in a long time, fan friendly isn't either.

[bedir than average]

ESPN.com - MLB/SPRING2007 - Ichiro intrigued by possible free agency

I've played 15 years of professional baseball, and I have never filed for free agency. I have never had the choice, to choose for myself which road I want to take," Suzuki said through interpreter Ken Barron during a 25-minute session with English-language media, after a lengthy session with Japanese reporters.

"So if you ask me is it possible that I will go to free agency, yes, it is possible."

"But if you ask me what are my feelings toward it, at this point I cannot express it. I am not even sure myself. But what I can say is my mind is full of having the best season possible."

Ichiro is dancing around this topic quite well.

Lincoln wants Ichiro to retire a Mariner and go to the Hall of Fame as a Mariner, which makes one wonder, why not extend him?

[Goose]

Even if he were to go to another team in 2008, he'd have to do some pretty spectacular things with that team in order for him not to go into the Hall as a Mariner.

[bedir than average]

By the way I really thought it was funny that the threadline didn't need to change even though the stories were a month apart.

[Zen653]

Could Ichiro land in Boston?

Daisuke Matsuzaka asked for and received a uniform from Ichiro Suzuki, with whom he became good friends during the World Baseball Classic last season. The two had dinner before Sox camp opened. With Ichiro a prospective free agent after the season, you're going to hear talk about Boston being a possible destination.

Boston Red Sox - Francona arrives at Ramirez decision: Wait for information - The Boston Globe

I heard a Cleveland radio show citing a source that claimed Ichiro would like to play for Boston next year. My guess is that pundits simply want to run with this story after learning of the Matsuzaka-Ichiro friendship. As a Red Sox fan, I'd obviously love to see Ichiro in Boston. He'd be an upgrade over Coco Crisp and would also firmly plant the Red Sox flag in Japan for marketing purposes. (Right now, I'd say that New York and Seattle still have the advantage in that department.)

For the sake of competitive balance, however, I hope the Mariners find a way to re-sign their icon. Ichiro is a major part of the Mariner identity and I don't think that Jones or Hernandez are ready for that role.

[Goose]

Actually, I do think Felix is ready for that role. Jones obviously is not, since he'll likely be spending most, if not all of this season in AAA fine tuning things.

But it doesn't surprise me that Boston is mentioned. Ichiro is a potential big name free agent, so of course Boston and New York are mentioned by the media.