Ichiro to the Mets Makes Sense

Ichiro Suzuki has expressed an interest in playing in 2015 although no one really knows if that will be with the New York Yankees or another team. Ichiro has spent the past two plus seasons in New York after spending his entire major league career with the Seattle Mariners before that. Now it looks like Ichiro may be readying himself to play for a third major league franchise and that franchise may be in New York, just with the Mets.

The Mets expected big things out of their center fielder in 2014 when they signed Chris Young to a lucrative contract with $7.25 million. Young was ultimately designated for assignment and released before latching on with the New York Yankees just in time for September call ups. Young was for the Yankees what the Mets wish they gotten out of him and the opposite may be the case for Ichiro and the Mets.

The Yankees signed Ichiro to a two year deal before the 2013 season expecting him to be the everyday right fielder and chase down the 3,000 hit mark in pinstripes. Ichiro proved early and often in 2013 that he was no longer an everyday player, at least offensively, and was delegated to a bench role in 2014. Ichiro accepted the role without complaint and actually flourished in the limited role.

Ichiro would once again be an everyday player in New York and would likely sign a two year deal with New York once again attempting to chase down 3,000 hits in the major leagues, only with the Mets. Ichiro would also be a mentor to all the young stars coming up from the Mets farm system and could also potentially help lure a Kenta Maeda type free agent for New York. Ichiro could help tap into a market where the Mets struggle and could help the Mets win now and for the future. This deal would make a lot of sense for Ichiro and for the Mets.