Baltimore Orioles Interested In Ichiro
By CM Towle
The Baltimore Orioles are showing interest in New York Yankees outfielder Ichiro Suzuki in order to plug their outfield holes.
More from Baltimore Orioles
- Shohei Ohtani trade rumors live tracker: Every update so far
- MLB Rumors: Potential Braves reunion, Lance Lynn no-trade clause and Orioles deadline intentions
- MLB Rumors: Cardinals budging on Arenado, Orioles-Ohtani package, Yankees backup plan
- MLB Rumors: Shohei Ohtani, Angels, Dodgers, Rich Hill
- NY Mets: 4 monstrous trade packages for Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer
The Orioles have some pretty big outfield holes to fill yet this offseason, after losing Nelson Cruz and veteran Orioles right-fielder Nick Markakis. Might they be interested in filling at least one of those spots with Ichiro Suzuki? It appears they’re at least looking into it, according to a report by Jon Heyman from CBS Sports.
"Ichiro, who is hoping to play to reach the coveted 3,000 hits in Major League Baseball, is 156 hits short and looking for a job, and the Orioles seek another outfielder. (via CBS Sports)"
Obviously Ichiro doesn’t exactly plug the Nelson Cruz hole, but he could potentially fill the Markakis hole. He plays right field like Markakis and he hit .284 last season vs Markakis’ .276. Markakis’ numbers are somewhat higher in other areas, however. The question could come down to just how desperate are the Orioles for outfield help.
Ichiro is 41 and would be entering his 15th season in the MLB if he signs somewhere.
As Heyman noted, Ichiro needs 156 hits to reach that 3,000 mark, he had 102 last season, so in order to get there he’d probably need to play two more seasons, or have one really good one.
The Orioles seem to be stuck in neutral this offseason as they prepare to defend their AL East title. Rivals in the Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays have all made some major moves to improve their teams, while the Orioles have lost two significant contributors. According to Hot Stove, the Orioles may also be looking at Nori Aoki and Colby Rasmus for their outfield woes.
More from FanSided
- NFL rumors: Aaron Rodgers sets Jets up for Super Bowl run with new contract
- MLB Trade Grades: Dodgers land Amed Rosario from Guardians
- Colorado gives Pac-12 a possible death knell with move to Big 12
- NFL rumors: Dalvin Cook suitor maintaining very ‘real’ interest
- Braves get dose of bad news on Max Fried as ace nears return