ICHIRO

Guess who is coming to the Ballyard in Da Bronx?  Ichiro Suzuki, the 40 year old Japanese phenom from Japan via the Seattle Mariners.  

Tonight questions:

1. What position will he play?  With his arm it has to be Right Field, but he is capable in all three OF spots.
2. What will be the fan's reaction to him wearing Bernie Williams #51.  Ask LaTroy Hawkins  how he was greated when hew wore Paul O'Neill's #21 for about 120 minutes.  This just in: Yankee Yapping is reporting that Ichiro will wear #31 despite Yankees.com saying #51.
3. Where will he bat in the line up?  He can bat him first and Jeter second or visa versa.  Or you can bat him third and push A-Rod up in the line-up where he can excell.  

Syonara Seattle

The Yankees sent minor league pitchers D. J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar to the Mariners in exchange for Suzuki, whose five-year, $90 million contract expires after this season.The Yankees are responsible for only $2 million of the contract.  He may be just used a a rent-a-player for the rest of the year.

The Yankees designated outfielder DeWayne Wise, who was coming into his own as of late, to make room on the roster for Suzuki, a 10-time All-Star who became the first Japan-born position player when he went to Seattle before the 2001 season after nine years in Japan’s Pacific League. Suzuki’s success in the majors leagues helped paved the way for many other players, including the former Yankee Hideki Matsui. 

With the Yankees set to open a three-game series in Seattle on Monday night, Suzuki was a strong possibility to start in right field for the injured Nick Swisher.  It was funny that the M's didn't wait until after this series.  Nick Swisher's nagging injuries this year may land the fan favorite elsewhere in 2013.