In a move that seems to have surprised everyone, the Yankees today have acquired 10 time all star Ichiro Suzuki. The deal was pulled off hours before the Yanks play the Mariners, in Seattle, where Ichiro was switched to the Yankees lineup and will be batting 8th against his former team.
Ichiro will be a welcome addition to the Yankees outfield replacing Brett Gardner in left field who will likely be out for the season as he undergoes arthroscopic elbow surgery. Left field is the largest part of the outfield at Yankee stadium, and since Gardner went down better defense in left field has been a necessity.
Although Ichiro is 38 he still brings speed and defense to the Yankees who have been missing that combination in left field since losing Gardner. Ichiro is another super star in an already stacked clubhouse, which could really rejuvenate Ichiro mentally and physically as he is going from the team with one of the worst records in baseball to the best. He is no stranger to the spotlight and should fit into New York just fine.
According to Yankees.com he is second in steals, third in batting average and sixth in hits among active players. Although he is nearing the end of his career, his numbers have not dropped off much and I would look to Ichiro for a second wind so-to-speak career wise in order to finish on a very strong note.
