Anyone interested in the 35 year old Ichiro as our LFer? He could probably be had in a trade with Seattle. Is on the verge of hitting 200 hits for the 8th consecutive time. Stole 42 bases this year while being caught only 4 times. In a bad Seattle season, he still batted .310 with an OBP of .360.
On the decline? Hardly. He hit only .303 in 2005 with an OBP of .350, and stole 33 bases that year while being caught 8 times. Batted .312 in 2003 with similar stats. Has never played less than 157 games in a season. Is a gold glove caliber fielder.
I know age is concern, but I don't think so with this guy. I also think he'd bring a work ethic good for our young guys.
With guys like Votto and Bruce coming behind him, I think he'd be a nice table setter.
Besides, we have a nice trade history with Seattle.
Lineup:
LF Ichiro
CF Dickerson
2B Phillips
1B Votto
3B Encarnacion
RF Bruce
C Hanigan
SS Gonzalez/Keppinger
The top 3 guys wreak havoc on the basepaths. Wouldn't surprise me to see Jocketty do something like this. Dickerson has yet to make an error in 227 innings/35 games. Ichiro is a gold glove caliber outfielder. Bruce should improve. Phillips is gold glove caliber at 2B. Gonzalez is solid at SS if he returns healthy. Votto is improving but a liability at times. EE is a liability but only 24 years old. Votto, EE, Bruce, Phillips, and Dickerson all have 20-30 HR capability. Ichiro has 40 stolen base capability. Phillips has 20-30 SB potential. So does Dickerson.
Pitching, speed, and defense. Wouldn't surprise me at all.