Ichiro to the Yankees: How Long Will it Last?

By: Michael Rivera
The LBCC Commuter
Video Editor/Writer

From last to first, Ichiro Suzuki's trade to the Yankees puts him in the biggest spotlight of his life. Sorry, Mariner fans; you’ll see him on the other side.

The Mariners dealt Ichiro out to the Big Apple for right-handed pitchers D.J. Mitchell and  Danny Farquhar. According to Sports Illustrated, Ichiro came in to relieve an ailing Nick Swisher, who missed five games on a strained hip flexor. Upon Swisher’s return, first baseman Mark Teixeira went down with inflammation to his left wrist. With the addition of Ichiro, Swisher was able to cover first base for the Yankees.

Indeed, Ichiro was a great pick up; since the Mariners are honoring a $4.75 million on his $18 million contract for this year and the fact that he is in the last year of his deal. Short to say, Ichiro (who is now 38 years-old) won’t be seeing double-digit money on his next contract.

Ichiro will be competing with Swisher over the next year’s free agency bids for outfielders. Swisher (who is 31) has more guaranteed years left in the league and Ichiro playing sub-par to his career standards (hitting .260 BA, career .322 BA). With GM Bill Cashman looking to shorten up a $195+ million salary for the 2012 season, we could be seeing Ichiro in the pinstripes for a while.

Here’s how the two scenarios can play out: Yankees sign Nick Swisher or Ichiro, because keeping both of them would not be cost effective. Keeping Swisher means dishing out a lot of money. This could result in getting rid of others or limiting more free agency moves. The Yankees have been relatively quiet on that front.

Now, keeping Ichiro has its perks. Yeah, you have to let Swisher go, but his contract will be going up into the $20 million a year category, if he plays his cards right. Ichiro maybe gets a 3 year deal (at the longest) and finishes his career in New York. Swisher is going to want some security with the Yankees and a couple opt-outs on his contract during that time. It’s all about looking at the numbers; who in their right mind would give Ichiro more money than Swisher?

The Yankees have the money to keep both players, no doubt. But how can you keep a guy like Ichiro from splitting time with Andruw Jones or Raul Ibanez? If you keep Ichiro, you got to deal off Ibanez or Jones. The problem with that is Ibanez and Jones are both $3.5 million on Ichiro’s $18 million this year alone. There is no way you’re keeping Curtis Granderson out of the lineup with the big bat he has. Ichiro is the smallest hitter on a team full of home runs waiting in the wings. Keeping Swisher is a smarter option, but Ichiro is cheaper by far.

Yes, Ichiro may be playing in the Big Apple, but for how long? Only time will tell, but for now enjoy the spotlight, Ichiro. You deserve it.