Jay Buhner: ‘I’d vomit’ if Mariners sign Ichiro Suzuki to multiyear extension

[White Knight]

http://tracking.si.com/2012/07/17/jay-buhner-vomit-mariners-ichiro-suzuki-extension/?sct=mlb_t2_a8

[PlanetZoltan]

Ichiro may be in decline, but he still draws a ton of fans to Safeco, and they love him there.

But if the Mariners FO wants to get this organization turned around, they need to let him go and start focusing on getting prospects together and not spending every free dime on Ichiro.

[leecemark]

--If the Ms resigned Ichiro to a 1 year deal on a greatly reduced salary with the understanding he wouldn't be playing everyday then I could see that. Any kind of multiyear deal or planning on him being more than a 4th outfielder and I'll join Bone in losing my lunch.

[Seattle1]

I love Jay Buhner but I have to be honest and recognize there might be a little bit of jealousy at play here. Bone "probably" just doesn't want to see Ichiro pass him for third place on the Mariners all-time XBHs career list.

[Dude Paskert]

Ichiro would do the Mariners a huge favor if he decided to return to Japan for a well-deserved farewell tour. He's not helping them much with a .290 OBP and is very unlikely to improve upon that as he ages. He'd probably still be a productive player in AAAA Japan.

[Ben Grimm]

Seattle, as constructed, cannot compete in the AL West any time soon. If I'm them, I consider moving Ichiro - bit of a PR hit maybe, but still the way to go. I'd also consider moving Felix. As great as he is, I believe he still has 2+ years left on his contract no more than $20M per. That's great value for what he provides and a team would have no problem moving 2-3 of their best prospects to attain him. I think the Mariners need to look 3 years down the road and losing some of Ichiro & Felix's money - along with Chone eventually, could open up spending to go along with a new crop of talent.

[leecemark]

--I don't think Ichiro has much, if any, trade value. If he wants a last hurrah with a contender they should try and accomodate that even if we get nothing of value back. If they haven't already they should have a sitdown with him and see what he wants to do, within the perimeters of what helps the club. If this is going to be his last season with the M's then some appropriate farewell tour is in order.
--I think there are 5 options;
1/2) He hopes to keep playing regularly and going after 3,000 hits. This shouldn't happen in Seattle (and its hard to imagine it being a good idea for anybody else, but he may not see it that way). If so, we should offer him the choose of looking for a trade now or allowing him to seek another team in the offseason.
3) He wants to stay with the Mariners AND is willing to accept a 1 year deal at a greatly reduced salary and the understanding that he will not be playing everyday anymore.
4) He wants to head back to Japan to finish up his career there (and go after 4,000 total hits?).
5) He is ready to retire.

[drstrangelove]

At the time he said that, Ichiro had a July line of .167/.196/.208 with an OPS+ south of 30 AND he is making $18MM/year.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

So is Buhner still going to vomit now that Ichiro is a Yankee?