Mock Headline #3: Hendry Acquires Ex-Piniella Player

[HoopsCubs]

Here's another one for your enjoyment (and/or get ready to blast away). And remember, when I put these together, I try to write from Hendry's point of view based on how I interpret his past trades and trading philosophies.

 

Chicago – Trading for a player that new manager Lou Piniella once managed was not shocking. The specific player Jim Hendry traded for today, though, was a bit shocking. With the first move of what promises to be a “wild offseason” (Jim Hendry’s phrase to reporters at the press conference last week to introduce his new manager), the Cubs traded young pitchers Sean Marshall and Carlos Marmol, and OF Jacque Jones to the Seattle Mariners for OF Ichiro Suzuki.

 

Hendry expects Ichiro will lead off, but declined to say whether he’d be playing in RF to replace Jones or in CF to replace free agent Juan Pierre. He also declined to say whether Suzuki was offered a contract extension or not, though MLB sources close to the trade process believe some parameters had been exchanged; Ichiro is due to make $11M in 2007 and is a free agent after the season. The trade was somewhat similar to the trade Hendry made last off-season when he traded 3 young pitchers for Pierre, who also had one season left before free agency.

 

Hendry had glowing things to say about Ichiro: “He’s a heck of a ballplayer, and one of the most fundamentally sound players in the league. He will create a lot of havoc for opposing pitchers and defenses at the top of our lineup.” He also wished his departed players well: “You hate giving up promising arms and guys who work hard, but when a difference maker comes on the market, you have to make bold moves in this league.”

 

The trade brought to an end the tumultuous year Jones had on the north side. He signed a 3 year $16M contract last off-season, which brought great fan expectations. And despite having a solid year with the bat, Jones struggled during the early part of the season resulting in a chorus of boos, a round of hate mail and even a fan throwing a baseball at him. With $11M left on his deal, it is a perfect wash with Ichiro’s contract cash-wise, but since it is spread out over 2 years, it should give Seattle some stability in RF for the next 2 seasons and additional wiggle room payroll-wise for signings this offseason.

 

Seattle GM, Bill Bavasi, was unable for comment, but a spokesperson speaking on the condition of anonymity said that contract extension talks broke off with Suzuki’s representatives over the weekend, and the Seattle brain trust reached the conclusion that trading Ichiro now rather than having him walk away for nothing was in the team’s best interest. Though relatively quiet during the 2006 season, Ichiro had expressed tacit disapproval of manager Mike Hargrove and the team’s lack of commitment and work ethic to winning on several occasions last off-season.

 

Though the Alex Rodriguez rumors continue in earnest, Hendry is expected to prioritize extending Aramis Ramirez, finding another outfielder and addressing starting pitching on his offseason list of things-to-do. Last week Hendry had highlighted scouting efforts in Asia and finding some quality pitchers over there. This move to acquire Suzuki could be seen as a positive step by several Japanese players, who might now consider signing with the Cubs.

[1908]

Tease.

[goonys evil twin]

Ichiro's OPS+ the past two years:

 

109

109

 

 

If you can get a big bat elsewhere and play him in CF, it helps the team. Otherwise, he's almost a wash with Jones from 2006 (107), although obviously an OBP improvement.

 

I could definitely see something like this though. It just won't help the team all that much unless he's replacing Pierre.

[Jazz]

Ichiro's OPS+ the past two years:

 

109

109

 

 

If you can get a big bat elsewhere and play him in CF, it helps the team. Otherwise, he's almost a wash with Jones from 2006 (107), although obviously an OBP improvement.

 

I could definitely see something like this though. It just won't help the team all that much unless he's replacing Pierre.

 

Ichiro is a much better defender than Jones and will keep base runners honest. I'd love to him have him atop the lineup for our big hitters to drive him in.

[Mephistopheles]

arent the mariners moving ichiro out to center?

[Chocolate Milk]

Could he post another 370ish OBP year?

[Mizzou]

Ichiro's OPS+ the past two years:

 

109

109

 

 

If you can get a big bat elsewhere and play him in CF, it helps the team. Otherwise, he's almost a wash with Jones from 2006 (107), although obviously an OBP improvement.

 

I could definitely see something like this though. It just won't help the team all that much unless he's replacing Pierre.

 

Ichiro is a much better defender than Jones and will keep base runners honest. I'd love to him have him atop the lineup for our big hitters to drive him in.

Not to mention that he's probably the best basestealer in the game. (45/47 this past season)

[Anomalied]

Ichiro's OPS+ the past two years:

 

109

109

 

 

If you can get a big bat elsewhere and play him in CF, it helps the team. Otherwise, he's almost a wash with Jones from 2006 (107), although obviously an OBP improvement.

 

I could definitely see something like this though. It just won't help the team all that much unless he's replacing Pierre.

Are you honestly arguing against Ichiro on this team? The man is the best leadoff hitter in the game and picks up 200+ hits every season, not to mention the stolen bases and great defense.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

That's too much to pay for Ichiro in my opinion.

[David]

Ichiro's OPS+ the past two years:

 

109

109

 

 

If you can get a big bat elsewhere and play him in CF, it helps the team. Otherwise, he's almost a wash with Jones from 2006 (107), although obviously an OBP improvement.

 

I could definitely see something like this though. It just won't help the team all that much unless he's replacing Pierre.

Are you honestly arguing against Ichiro on this team? The man is the best leadoff hitter in the game and picks up 200+ hits every season, not to mention the stolen bases and great defense.

 

Overrated. Overpaid.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

"Anybody can hit singles if that's all they're trying to do, that doesn't impress me." - Gary Sheffield talking about Ichiro

 

 

I think Ichiro is among the top 5-10 most overrated players in the game.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

No to Ichiro!

[Ding Dong Johnson]

arent the mariners moving ichiro out to center?

 

Yes, to make room for Chris Snelling.

[Mizzou]

That's too much to pay for Ichiro in my opinion.

Really? I don't think it'd be enough for the Mariners to do it.

[Mephistopheles]

Chris Snelling will be hurt by mid May, you can bet more on that than you can on Mark Prior not making 32 starts.

[vance_the_cubs_fan]

That's too much to pay for Ichiro in my opinion.

Really? I don't think it'd be enough for the Mariners to do it.

 

For what Ichiro brings to the table, there are better options.

 

I'd look at Andruw Jones for one before settling on Ichiro. I'd rather take Pat Burrell off the Phillies before settling for Ichiro.

[UMFan83]

That's too much to pay for Ichiro in my opinion.

Really? I don't think it'd be enough for the Mariners to do it.

 

Mainly because hes the face of their organization

[CubsInNC]

That's too much to pay for Ichiro in my opinion.

Really? I don't think it'd be enough for the Mariners to do it.

 

Mainly because hes the face of their organization

 

Call me skeptical, but if that's a headline this offseason, I fully expect it to be our acquisition of Chris Hammond, or the addition of someone like Hal Morris/Ricky Henderson to the coaching staff.

 

I just don't have the positivity that the Cubs will do something blockbuster this offseason. But I have the feeling that if they do, they'll get fleeced because 29 other teams know that it's this year or die for Hendry.

[1908]

"Anybody can hit singles if that's all they're trying to do, that doesn't impress me." - Gary Sheffield talking about Ichiro

 

 

I think Ichiro is among the top 5-10 most overrated players in the game.

45.5 VORP this season for Ichiro.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

"Anybody can hit singles if that's all they're trying to do, that doesn't impress me." - Gary Sheffield talking about Ichiro

 

 

I think Ichiro is among the top 5-10 most overrated players in the game.

45.5 VORP this season for Ichiro.

 

That ties him for 40th among position players, and he had significantly more PA's than most players. Out of the top 100 position players in VORP, he was around 67th in VORPr. What happens if he only hits .300 next year?

[1908]

"Anybody can hit singles if that's all they're trying to do, that doesn't impress me." - Gary Sheffield talking about Ichiro

 

 

I think Ichiro is among the top 5-10 most overrated players in the game.

45.5 VORP this season for Ichiro.

 

That ties him for 40th among position players, and he had significantly more PA's than most players. Out of the top 100 position players in VORP, he was around 67th in VORPr. What happens if he only hits .300 next year?

It also ties him with Aramis. His durability is part of his value. His VORP will drop if he hits .300 next year. What happens if he hits .350?

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It also ties him with Aramis. His durability is part of his value.

 

VORP doesn't do a very good job of distinguishing between durability and hitting at the top of the order.

 

His VORP will drop if he hits .300 next year. What happens if he hits .350?

 

Which do you think is more likely? He's 33 on Sunday and his game is largely tied into footspeed.

[1908]

It also ties him with Aramis. His durability is part of his value.

VORP doesn't do a very good job of distinguishing between durability and hitting at the top of the order.

Yeah, it just measures value.

 

His VORP will drop if he hits .300 next year. What happens if he hits .350?

Which do you think is more likely? He's 33 on Sunday and his game is largely tied into footspeed.

Get him out of that park and I think .320-.330 is a very safe bet.

 

I'd turn cartwheels if he was playing CF for the Cubs next year. Can't see Seattle trading him, though. No matter how much sense it would make for them.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

It also ties him with Aramis. His durability is part of his value.

VORP doesn't do a very good job of distinguishing between durability and hitting at the top of the order.

Yeah, it just measures value.

 

The point is that Ichiro gets more value in VORP for reasons that are simply due to the spot in the order he's in.

 

His VORP will drop if he hits .300 next year. What happens if he hits .350?

Which do you think is more likely? He's 33 on Sunday and his game is largely tied into footspeed.

Get him out of that park and I think .320-.330 is a very safe bet.

 

How do you figure? 2003-2005 there wasn't any difference, and he was significantly better at Safeco last year. He doesn't hit a lot of long shots, so theoretically speaking he would stand to lose some hits moving to a smaller park.

[1908]

It also ties him with Aramis. His durability is part of his value.

VORP doesn't do a very good job of distinguishing between durability and hitting at the top of the order.

Yeah, it just measures value.

The point is that Ichiro gets more value in VORP for reasons that are simply due to the spot in the order he's in.

Do you see the Cubs hitting Ichiro anywhere but first?

 

His VORP will drop if he hits .300 next year. What happens if he hits .350?

Which do you think is more likely? He's 33 on Sunday and his game is largely tied into footspeed.

Get him out of that park and I think .320-.330 is a very safe bet.

How do you figure? 2003-2005 there wasn't any difference, and he was significantly better at Safeco last year. He doesn't hit a lot of long shots, so theoretically speaking he would stand to lose some hits moving to a smaller park.

Look at his EAVG over the past four seasons.

Edited October 19, 2006 by 1908