Enemy Territory: Yankees Steal Ichiro From Mariners

The evil empire is at it again and this time their nasty tentacles have reached out to the West coast where they have stolen all-star and japanese superstar Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners.

According to Jack Curry of the YES Network, via Twitter, the Yankees have acquired the outfielder in exchange for RHP’s D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar.  The story gets better as the Mariners are also sending an undisclosed amount of cash to the Yankees to offset part of Ichiro’s remaining salary.  We can’t make this stuff up people.

Talk about highway robbery. The Yankees surrender a couple of relievers who were both drafted in the tenth round of the 2008 amateur draft for a former all-star outfielder in Ichiro.  Evil strikes again.

Now Ichiro is not what he used to be as evidenced by his slash line that he’s produced through 402 at-bats to this point of the season (.261/.288/.353/.642 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI). It’s a far cry from his career averages of .322/.366/.418/.784 but given how banged up the Yankees outfield currently is, the deal makes sense for the Bronx Bombers.

Recently the Yankees lost Brett Gardner for what is likely to be the remainder of the season after getting ready to undergo surgery on his right elbow.  Yesterday it was reported that Nick Swisher is battling a strained left hip flexor and will miss at least the next three games.  Ichiro is insurance for mainly Gardner’s injury but will no doubt fill in for Swisher for the time being.

Is it fair to use the term “steal” in this case?  I certainly think so when you look at both Mitchell’s and Farquhar’s stats, or lack there of in the big leagues.

This season with the Yankees, Mitchell has appeared in 4.2 IP, giving up 7 hits and 2 earned runs with a 2.143 WHIP.  During his time in the minors he’s pitched in 85.2 innings, boasting a 3.81 ERA with a 6.8 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.

Farquhar last appeared in the majors last season with the Toronto Blue Jays, appearing in just 2 games, giving up 4 hits and 3 earned runs. In 69.2 innings at the triple-A level, Farquhar has a 4.65 ERA with a 7.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9.

Given the experience and defensive abilities that Ichiro brings to the Yankees and suddenly giving up two minor-league pitchers, only one who is on the 40-man roster and the Yankees are looking like the winners in this one.

Of course there is the fact that Ichiro is 38-years old and will be free-agent at the end of the season, meaning Ichiro is likely a rental player for the Yankees for this year’s postseason run.  Still not a bad deal when you consider what they gave up.  Damn Yankees, they’re at it again.