Marlins pres goes berserk

by Behind Enemy Lines on Jul 12, 2007 10:17 PM PDT

"It'll take the sport down, that contract," Samson vented. "Right back to the ridiculous contracts. It can't be."

This is in reference to Ichiro's contract extension. I personally think Ichiro is one of the top ten players in the game and deserves top ten money. The fact that he'll be 39 at the end of a contract worth about 18 mil per is suspect, but considering a player of his stature, (both here and in Japan), worth every penny. This was basically a heads-up to Miggy that he might want to find a real estate agent, he isn't staying in Florida.

This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Ichiro

is a very good player. I was shocked to find out how far up the win shares ladder he's climbed, and is now the number two player in the league. He hadn't been a top ten player in the league since 2004, and I sort of wonder that he isn't having a last hurrah this year.

Ervin Santana To AAA! (But only for road games.)

by scareduck on Jul 12, 2007 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

Last hurrah?

He keeps himself in fantastic shape, is still stealing mad bases at an amazing clip, has the kind of body type that lasts longest (see Lofton, Kenny), and is only 33. His last two years, even though they were his worst, were still very good. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up with 3,000 hits.

by mattwelch on Jul 12, 2007 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree

He has been the one consistent with the franchise over the last decade or so.

Give him his dough.

And he is on my fantasy team.

by cupie on Jul 12, 2007 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, but

OPS+ of 134 at the halfway mark, following two years of 109?

Ervin Santana To AAA! (But only for road games.)

by scareduck on Jul 13, 2007 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Batting average tends to fluctuate

And batting average is a huge percentage of his game. When he's hot or lucky, he hits .350-.370. When he's not, it's more like .300-.320. The rest of his numbers are largely the same. Until he shows some decline in peripherals, I'd expect that fluctuation to continue.

by mattwelch on Jul 13, 2007 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

No player with a career .818 OPS

is worth that kind of money. Especially since those years were his prime years and the ones to come most certainly will not be.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Jul 13, 2007 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

OPS is not the end all

OPS accounts for doubles, but not for singles that are tunred into doubles with a stolen base.

Add to that his amazing defense, ability to go from 1st to 3rd and his durability ... dude is a unique player, one of the great ones.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 13, 2007 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Unique indeed

Defense and durability are huge. However the truly elite salaries should go to the truly elite players, i.e. those that hit for average AND Power, the ideal middle of the order threats not leadoff guys, at least as far as I'm concerned and up until now the GMs have agreed with me. Tony Gwynn was at least as good as Ichiro and never earned a salary like the big boppers.

Ichiro has the body type to be highly productive into his late 30's as long as he can stay healthy of course. If the guy can get to 3000 hits after playing his first ML game at age 27, I'll give you that he's one of the great ones as well. Time will tell.

DarkAngel hath spoken....

by darkangel01 on Jul 13, 2007 2:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Two Points:

With the way all the Seattlites bitched about losing Chris Snelling, can you imagine the whines associated with losing Ichiro?

The extension is a huge public relations move that keeps Japanese ownership from losing face, an enormous issue.

by wumbug on Jul 13, 2007 1:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Ichiro

Ichiro nets the Mariners $20 million on shirt and ticket sales a season EASILY.

If he stays off the DL that alone pays for the ocntract regardless of his on-field production.

by Rev Halofan on Jul 12, 2007 10:38 PM PDT reply actions

Plus

he has a nice new hybrid, so he can save at the pump.

by TheTypingFiend on Jul 12, 2007 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

good point

john RIP samo

by angels4adam on Jul 12, 2007 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions

However

It's a Chevy. How does that play back home?

by Brew Angel on Jul 13, 2007 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions

I doubt he keeps it

Or uses it as his everydaymobile if he does.

He seemed kinda amused when they gave it to him.

Ichiro definitely drives Japanese though.

by TheTypingFiend on Jul 13, 2007 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Trivia Question

Answer correctly and you will receive a free one year subscription to 6-4-2.

What does Al Gore III and Missus Scareduck have in common?

[Hint: According to HH sources, Missus Scareduck does not speed, ingest controlled substances, carry non-valid prescription medicines, nor has she ever been arrested.]

Doing his part to help the environment.