As bad as he is, why designate Wise? Clearly OF depth is a weak spot...wouldn't it be better to keep him stashed in AAA and release a useless reliever like Qualls?

I was sitting on the porch and the wife comes home and asks, "how about the new acquisition?" "Who?" "Ichiro.' "WTF!" Madness! I don't see you how you can't like the deal. No way Ichiro can't be excited to play for a playoff team. I hope he goes on an old school tear.

[1] Agree, of course. Qualls instead of Wise makes no sense..

It's weird because his name is so established, he's been such an exciting player, it's hard not to be juiced on some level. Curious though, because he's lost so much. But he'll be batting down in the line up and it'll be interesting to see if being on the Yanks, in a humbling, but promising situation, will reignite his game.

I love it, and can't wait to root for him, even with tempered expectations.

I remember being really excited when the Yankees acquired Strawberry. I was in college so I wasn't watching as many games as nowadays. Glad I get to see this. First Ichiro walks across the field to play his old team immediately and then the good guys fly home to face Boston. Sweet.

I wonder if this means Swisher's hip is much worse than the missing-3-games level..

Strawberry
Fielder
Raines
Justice

aging big names who still managed to contribute something to very good Yankee teams after their primes passed. Not I didn't put Canseco on tis list.

I think a change of scenery, especially to this team, will be good for an old craftsman like Ichiro. I will not be surprised at all when he contributes a clutch single here, a 2 ribbie gapped there, or an OF assist.

[8]
Pudge Rodriguez
Boggs

8) I think Ichiro has declined more than those guys when they came to the Yanks but I'm with 9) and willing to drink the proverbial Kool Aid. It could turn into a glitzy-sounding dud, but one never knows...and Cash might not be done yet...

Think the Sox will land a stud like Josh Johnson?

9) iPad doesn't know from gappers.

[10]
Def Boggs plus Sheffield and Abreu. But I was sticking more to guys who were role players only and less left in the tank tho I guess Justice may fall between the 2 camps. If Ichiro is around next year and can approach the production of those 3 then that's just gravy.

Ca$h-ninja strikes again!

It's a risk, but I like the upside. And the price was very right.

[1] They have Dickerson in AAA, and he's quite capable. They also just signed Fukudome to a minor league contract. I presume they decided they're ok with depth, or that Wise will clear waivers (didn't he already do that earlier in this season?) and be around if needed.

I think Qualls is a placeholder, but with Mitchell gone, who would you bring up in his place? (We both know the Yankees would never go with both of our preferred solution-a 6 man bullpen). Wade's only thrown 4 innings since his demotion; are his kinks worked out? Warren, I think, is the only other guy on the 40 man who makes any sense, except he doesn't.

Anyway, its an academic exercise once Joba's rehab stint is done.

oh yeah, Sheffield. Before he went ba-donkers.

Gosh, Pudge. That's right.

Lance Berkman doesn't make this list?

The mighty Yankees have a 20% Japanese starting lineup tonight. Big day in Tokyo.

What's the word Boat and Mr. Jazz?

16) Fat Elvis!

Good start, Cap.

Ichiro looks good in the road grays, can't wait to see him in pinstripes. He is such a cartoon character, this should be fun.

Likely HOFers currently on the roster: Jeter, Arod, Mo, Ichiro, CC. CC needs a few more years, Cano a few more.

[17] Evening sports tabloids will go bonkers. Will pick one up on the way home, all Ichiro-articles between the "lusty secretary" confessionals and ads for "health delivery services".

This is becoming a bit of a concern. WTF, Alex!

Arod, bouncer double play and a two base error. Not a good first inning for him.

You know who this trade made me think of?

George.

Take that how you will.

Had 'em played perfectly, Ichiro!

Stupit double plaze.

Holy fuck!

HOT DAMN!!!!!!

#31? Ok.

Whoo-hooo!

And so it begins

ICHIRO!!!

Ich-i-ro! Ich-i-Ro!

Let the good times roll.

i loves it!

And a stolen base.

did ichiro get a huge ovation when he came to the plate?

[37] Huge. He took off his helmet and bowed to the crowd from home plate.

[37] yep.

This is gonna be an interesting couple of months

[38] awesome! thanks : )

Martin hit the ball hard too...ah well. Yanks need a serious visit from the score truck. Especially with King Felix lurking.

Time for Hiroki to have a really strong outing, right?

crap.

c'mon hiro!

I remember Millwood shutting down the Yankees in April. That must change tonight.

Damn! Just missed a homer.

just tuning in. late kickball game. hell yeah to ichiro in yankees gray!

and hell yeah to tex!!

keep it going, andruw!

This is more like it.

love.

your turn, ICHIRO!!!

[50] uh...love it.

[50] You got a thing for Japanese boys in tight pants?

[52] you don't?

Huh ... so *this* is where all the cool kids went!

[52] actually...

hot, skinny blonde girls in no pants at all! ; )

[54] i was gonna text you to let you know...

shit sox lost 9-1 to tex-ass!

[57] are they still in the mlb?

[53] Nah...Japanese boys in school girl uniforms.

[58] it would be a dream come true for me if bud contracted them!

(59) Plenty of establishments here for that!

So ... OKJT ...other than Miles, who fills out your Top 5 of the 20th?

[60] Who would be the Yankees foil...their Washington Generals?

Hey now!

That's how you do it, Alex. Chest high is better for next time.

How about that, Hiroki's been a hell of a signing, right?

I know this is a little silly for all you serious baseball scholars, but If you Smoak Seagar you get (H)ackley.

RIPPER ... I loves you!

[66] Damn straight. He had a rough start to the year. But he's picked it up since. It'll be interesting what kinc of offers he gets this off season.

[69] if he's as kinc-y as matsui, i'm not sure i wanna hear about it! hehe ; )

[66] A professional innings eater. Gives up a few too many HRs, but that's Yankee Stadium. A great signing, and really a stable leg of the rotation in a year of questions.

Sweep the leg, Gentlemen ... SWEEP THE LEG!

[62]Hey Cult. Taking out composers, vocalists and the unknown erhu genius players from Shanxi province or unknown master percussionists from rural Nigeria, etc etc...

Armstong, Miles, Monk, Jascha Heifetz, Zakir Hussein..off the top of my head!

Uh ... no.
*THAT* was *NOT* what I ordered ...

Yeesh.

[67] More Bob Seger puns, please! Where are the Banter Classic Rock scholars OYF and Boatzilla?

[73] Zakir Hussain. definitely Definitely DEFINITELY!!!

he *WINS*!!!

btw, he was the first person i thought of. well, along with Zappa.

Banterers, I have the Mariners radio feed on here. They just promoted this at Safeco: http://seattle.mariners.mlb.com/sea/ticketing/special_group.jsp?group=stitch

Even the M's know their games are so boring that knitting is more fun!

[75] You mean like Ichiro "Turns the Page" tonight?

Hiroki DP!

atta boy, jesus!

After not seeing Kuroda pitch an inning before this season he has been a pleasant surprise.

[78] Ding! You can be sure that "Ichi-Ro is Goin Out, To-Night".

Man, YES just showed a sound bite of Girardi regarding Ichiro. He looks like he aged 5 years after that weekend in Oakland.

Take that kid!

Russell's on the move.

Granderson's strike outs are becoming problematic. All that was needed there was a hard ground ball in the hole, why go for the seats in this hangar of a field?

Wow ... Jones looked like he was running through molasses on that pop foul ...

[82} You think Kuroda will go "Nine Tonight"? (I doubt it).

7 good great innings. Kuroda Workin' on his night moves in the summertime

[88] Only if he's feeling Like A Rock out there. (I can keep going, Grandpa OK Jazz is a big Seger fan and has many of his albums)

[76] I likes me some Frank. A bunch of the time I LOVES me some Frank. But DAMN if I don't find myself wanting and wishing and hoping that he'd take his own advice and shut up 'n play yer guitar ...

wow. hiro did great!

9:1 k:bb ratio

3 hits, 1 run

7 strong innings.

hammer, untuck!

[87] Looked like he was running "Against the Wind".

[93] He's Like a Rock out there..oh no, double Bob Seger pun!

..looked like he was running from Kathmandu?

Ales lives. Nice.

YAY-ROD!!!

hell yeah arod!!!

[77] i want to learn to knit actually.

Damn, Arod hit that to "Katmandu". His games sometimes play like Mexican novellas.

Dammit ... Robbie deserved a hit on that one.