Rumors & Notes: Ichiro Looking To Be Traded?

Sep 28, 2013; Houston, TX, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter

(31) gets a hit during the second inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Yankees off-season spending has brought plenty of superstars to the Bronx.  Along with catcher Brian McCann and pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, the team also signed two stud outfielders in Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. The deals bolstered the lineup but caused a log jam in the outfield that needs to be cleared. After releasing Vernon Wells many speculated that Brett Gardner could be dealt to help fill some other holes for the team. After a reported trade with the Reds for second baseman Brandon Phillips fell through, the rumors died out for a time until resurfacing in recent weeks. Well, all that changed Sunday after the Yankees extended Brett Gardner, locking him up for at least the next five years. So with an overcrowded outfield it seems that someone may still be traded away. According to Lauren Moranor of Sports World Report, Ichiro Suzuki is in search of a trade stating, “I’m going to have to find a place for myself.”

The 40-year-old Ichiro put up the worst numbers of his career, batting .262 with a .297 on-base percentage and slugging only .342. Ichiro would be hard to move due to his advanced age, rapid decline, and his overpriced salary at $6.5 million dollars, but the Yankees can’t afford to be picky as they are in need of infield and bullpen help. Suitors will be slim but maybe they pull something off. Whether or not Ichiro wants to be dealt remains to be seen as Sports World Report is the only one to report the rumor. As a tough competitor and future Hall of Fame possibility, it wouldn’t be surprising that he wants to go somewhere so he could have more of a role.