Yankees Trade Rumors: Ichiro Shouldn’t Keep N.Y. from Going After Justin Upton
July 23, 2012 · Richard Langford · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees were desperate for an outfielder, and they landed one in Ichiro Suzuki, but they shouldn’t let that keep them from going after young stud Justin Upton.
With Brett Gardner out for the year and Nick Swisher nursing a hip flexor injury, the Yankees found themselves with a serious need for an outfielder.
With the addition of Ichiro, they can cross that off the list. While Ichiro is on the decline, he will still bring some needed speed and defense to New York.
Like one of Ichiro’s laser-like throws, this trade came soaring in from nowhere out of right field. Prior to the announcement of this deal, there were all sorts of rumors about who the Bronx Bombers might acquire. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com let us all know that Arizona Diamondbacks right fielder Justin Upton was one of those trade targets.
Heyman admits that any process that would send Upton to the Yankees would not be a quick one, and this is exactly why New York should not let the trade for Ichiro alter its pursuit of him. This is a move that would be made for more than just one season.
Upton, 24, would be a potential fixture in the Yankees outfield. He is having a bit of a down year, and his slugging percentage has plummeted, but Upton is still hitting .274.
His addition would strengthen New York not just this season but for years to come. While the addition of Ichiro knocks the odds of this deal happening to next-to-zero, this is the Yankees we’re are talking about.
And, as Derek Jeter said via The New York Times’ David Waldstein about the Ichiro trade, “You never know what’s going to happen around here.”
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