Evil Empire Acquires Ichiro

Well the Orioles lost last night. They got their 6th straight quality start, but the bats went quiet. A very unfortunate game. However, that wasn't the worst news on the night in Baltimore. The New York Yankees added a key piece.

Struggling since they lost Brett Gardner, the Yankees added one of the best players of the past 10 years. They added perhaps the most popular baseball player worldwide. Sure, he is declining and having his worst season, but do you really expect him to not contribute. I mean the Yankees were throwing DeWayne Wise out there with Gardner's injury. Even at his advanced age, Ichiro is a much better option than DeWayne Wise.

We can only hope Ichiro isn't here past this season. That he retires. The last thing the Yankees need on the all star ballot is an international superstar besides Cano. The Yankees also don't need more fans. They don't need millions of Japanese rooting for the team solely because of Ichiro. I just don't like it.

As for this year, it was unlikely that the O's would catch the Yankees. However, they got the deficit down to 6.5 games before the trade was made. The Yankees were struggling without Gardner, and now its not so bad. Ichiro is one of the most consistent players ever. The Yankees don't need someone who has been this good for this long. I have liked to root for Ichiro in the past. I will not anymore, but I hate to say that he doesn't need it. Yankees-Rangers is looking like a strong bet to be the ALCS at this point. However, I thought that before the trade. Gardner is still the better player, but with DeWayne Wise in LF some other teams had a lot more hope than they do now.

It just looks wrong. It sure would have been nice to see Ichiro stay in Seattle.

-Noland