Now hear me out... I fully understand Ichiro is 38 years old and not the same level of player he once was BUT he's still an elite level OF with 17 extra base hits and 8 steals on the year. On a short term deal (1 or 2 years) at the right price one would have to believe that small payroll or not that the money brought in by having Ichiro/a Japanese superstar in the NY market would have to tempt Fred a little bit. Ichiro has been a 1.5 WAR player so far this year which puts him in the company of Jay Bruce, Dustin Pedroia, Hanley Ramirez, Asdrubel Cabrera and Mark Trumbo.

Who is he replacing? Duda?

That would depend on the rest of this year. In the ideal world it would be Duda-Kirk-Ichiro next year with Ike showing signs he's not "done". I think Kirk/Ichiro would help Duda a ton.

Sign me up especially if this team really might be closer to contending than we originally though. Ichiro is also about 2.5/3 years away from getting 3,000 hits which I'm sure he'll want to hit.

Yes. Who wouldn't want him?

Another reason why Fred may have interest in opening up his wallet realizing $$$ to be made.

Bay to the bench?

Definitely ideal, but is putting Bay in a bench/platoon role realistic?

The other problem is Duda-Kirk-Ichiro are all lefties, so this would likely force Terry to strictly platoon Duda/Bay in order to get a righty in the lineup (I doubt you would see Bay-Kirk-Duda much). I don't want Bay taking ABs away from Duda 3+ games a week.

Bay can't get 600 PA's next year or his option vests so even if he hypothetically is "very good" hes not going to play every single day anyway. I'm just trying to find a realistic guy we can add that we can afford. We won't be in on Greinke or Hamels or Hamilton. Ichiro for 1-2 years would be a solid addition at the right price.

I love Ichiro, but I have no idea what he does for the organization besides sell tickets as he approaches 3000. Unless he signs a 1-year deal or a very friendly 2-year deal, he's not super helpful to this particular team as a corner OF. Nobody likes to admit it because he is so objectively cool, but he might be a half season away from being the Mets version of Luis Castillo. Once his legs go, he's pretty much done as a player. Last year and this year combined he's hitting .271/.308/.342/.650. Without the 48 SB's -- and some would argue *with* those steals -- he's pretty much useless. Especially as a corner.

Hate to say it.

I am certain that if there is one outfielder we are going after next year, it is BJ Upton.

My dream off-season addition (since there is no chance we are in on Hamels/Greinke)

I think we're way ahead in the speculation department right now. We haven't even hit the trade deadline yet...and I think Sandy & co. have had to revise their opinion of whether they're buyers or sellers this year given the team's play. Now, if any of those guys are available, i.e. Ichiro, do you want to trade for him? Who do you give up.

The other thing is that I think a Japanese conglomerate owns a large stake in the Seattle franchise (I may be wrong, but I'm pretty sure that's the case). With a large Japanese population in Seattle as well, I'm thinking they'll do what they can to extend and keep him...