Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Seattle Mariners

March 22, 2007 @ 16:00:00

By David Wysocki
Edited by Nicholas Minnix

If anyone has claimed Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki doesn't bring his pale and blue-collar attitudes to work, then they are lying to themselves. In a baseball sense, we might be worried about his risk of contracting black lung. The perennial All-Star hasn't missed more than five games since entering the majors in 2001. Troubling news for Mariners fans is that for the first time in his 15-year professional career, in his native Japan and the United States, he will have the chance to be a free agent at season's end.

Background

Maybe good news for the Mariners is that Ichiro doaesn't even know how to feel about his opportunity. His rights were sold into the major leagues, and since he and the Mariners have yet work out an extension, he is set to grab a huge payday. Judging by the contracts handed out to first baseman Richie Sexson and third baseman Adrian Beltre, the suits in Seattle are not necessarily stingy. However, Mariners brass has not been touted as having the best decision-makers in the front office when analyzing their big money moves.

Ichiro, 33, is sure to become one of the biggest free-agent prizes in recent memory. His hitting ability is in the Tony Gwynn mold. He brings Gold Glove-caliber defense with blazing speed. He has compiled at least 206 hits and stolen at least 31 bases in every major league season. His career MLB average is .331 in six seasons.

Table: Ichiro Suzuki Career Statistics (2001-2006)

Year	G	AB	AVG	HR	RBI	R	SB
2001	157	692	.350	8	69	127	56
2002	157	647	.321	8	51	111	31
2003	159	679	.312	13	62	111	34
2004	161	704	.372	8	60	101	36
2005	162	679	.303	15	68	111	33
2006	161	695	.322	9	49	110	45

Leadoff hitters that bring so many intangibles and durability are hard, if not impossible, to find. He may be the most valuable at his position since Rickey Henderson. In his mid-30s he is still a force. Just as it appeared that Suzuki was falling after 2005 (.303 batting average, a career low, and 33 stolen bases), he fired back with a .322 average and 45 steals in 47 chances last year.

Will He Stay or Will He Go?

Ichiro seems to have a lot of reasons to leave. As mentioned, and this is common sense if you follow the MLB free-agent scramble, Ichiro is set to make bundles of cash. He is currently scheduled to pull in $11 million n 2007. That number could increase by 50-60 percent in a new deal elsewhere. The Mariners have also consistently sent out sub-par teams since 2001. That season, Ichiro's first with the club, Seattle won 116 games in the regular season but lost in five games in the American League Championship Series to the New York Yankees. Since then the Mariners have never been close, including last-place finishes the past three years.

Ichiro says that he is still uncertain about what he will do. How the team does this year will definitely have a bearing on his decision. In an attempt to improve, the Mariners have added designated hitter Jose Vidro and outfielder Jose Guillen to the offense. On the pitching side, starters Jeff Weaver, Horacio Ramirez and Miguel Batista have joined the team. Will these players have enough of an impact to make Ichiro happy in Seattle?

Ichiro doesn't bring a lot of power, although he showed flashes in 2003 and 2005, when he hit 13 and 15 home runs, respectively. Oddly enough, these two seasons saw him hit for his lowest batting averages as well (.312 and .303, respectively).

With Ichiro's durability and consistency, he would upgrade any major league lineup. He can play any position in the outfield with his great arm and range. With his career .376 on-base percentage and six straight seasons of 100-plus runs, he should get on base and score. With a better lineup he could drive in 70 or more also. That lineup upgrade doesn't appear to be in 2007 with this bunch of Mariners.

Fantasy Outlook

If Ichiro leaves Seattle for a better offense or winning team, his fantasy value will naturally go up. Seattle may find it in their best interest to deal Ichiro, to make sure they get something in return. Believe it or not, even with Ichiro's history, some see Ichiro falling off in the not too distant future, which would see his value plummet. Seattle also is not showing any real sign they are ready to compete, so getting a couple of arms or prospects may help catapult this team to their 2001 form in the near future. As far as the latest on the open market decision... not even Ichiro knows.

Does a potential financial windfall motivate Ichiro? It's hard to say because he has never been in this position. While his impending free agency could weigh on him, the fact is, Ichiro is a professional and likely won't be distracted. If trade rumors mount, the press, particularly the large faction from Japan that still follows him religiously, may begin to wear on him. Remember, though, that he's used to it. Ichiro should still hit in the .310 range, or higher, while scoring 100-plus runs and stealing 35-plus bases. The potential is there to exceed those numbers, for sure. The bottom line: He's a great foundation for a fantasy team's batting, runs and stolen bases. It will likely take a late second-round to mid-third-round selection to land him, but he could go earlier.

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David Wysocki

David has been a KFFL writer since 2005. He is a San Diego native and a History and Geography student at California State University-Chico. He has a writing background and has appeared in, and helped produce, various local newsletters and magazines on sports and music. He also pitched for the No. 2 nationally ranked Rancho Buena Vista Longhorns his senior year of high school in 2002.

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