ICHIROCARE #STAYCOVERED

You just never know. You can speculate, you can make the best of guesses, but you just don’t know. That is the only real truth every Major League team can bet on at the start of each new season. Did the Yankees know that in the 2013 season they’d field a MASH unit as their everyday lineup? No, no they didn’t. Did Brian Cashman pick up Lyle Overbay in the last days of Spring Training to be his starting First baseman? Not on your life. Things happen and it’s always better to be prepared.

Now, as you can see the title of this post is a play on the Affordable Care Act or as it’s better known, ObamaCare. I am a fairly political person and love a good debate, but I am not one to mix politics and baseball. So no matter where you stand on the President’s signature piece of legislation, know that this piece is not aiming to get folks on the Right or Left agitated. We do NOT do politics here. We have plenty of that now a days don’t you think? The only thing I will offer up is this analogy. If our country were a Big League club we’d have to seriously work on our clubhouse chemistry.

Anyway, the one thing I think we can all agree on is that it’s always better to have insurance. A back up plan to make sure you are ready for the unexpected. This year the Yankees reloaded. They brought in much needed pitching, speed and power. On paper the 2014 club looks like a force to be reckoned with…on paper. Next to having a wealth of options behind the dish, both at the big league & minor league level, the Yankees now have a crowded outfield. The starters will be Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran. Joe Girardi will also have to find some days for Alfonso Soriano in the field, as he will not want to be the everyday DH. Wait, I’m missing somebody…OH! Ichirosan!

This off-season the TV, radio, papers and blogs have been alive with “WILL THE YANKEES DEAL ICHIRO” stories. I can see where they are coming from; he is kind of the odd man out…but NOT SO FAST! Unless it’s an unbelievable, can’t miss trade for the Bombers, I’d hold on to the future Hall of Famer. He is an outstanding insurance policy! Think about it. Yes, he is older, but this guy is in great shape. Have you noticed how much Ichi stretches in the outfield and before at bats? He would make Plastic-Man say, “Damn, that guy is limber.” So injury is not a huge concern. He is still more than sound defensively and can still slap a base hit off his shoelaces. In short, Ichiro can still be a big help. Let’s hold on to him.

I can see this being a frustrating season for a guy that is used to being an everyday player. But the bottom line is that every player gets older. Ichiro must adjust to being a role player and only a role player. He needs to be focused on what he can control. I believe he will do just that. He is a consummate professional and a team first guy. He loves playing in the Bronx, and the Yankees still will give Ichiro a great chance to get his first World Series ring. That would be a great way to wrap up a stellar career.

I know that we have some young guys down on the farm that could also come step in if there are injuries (KNOCK WOOD), but they are still a year or two away. Any scuffing that a Mason Williams or Ty Hensley might experience could shake their confidence and set them back. Why risk it when you have a seasoned veteran on the pine with more than enough left in his tank for one more spin?

Look, the best-case scenario is that we don’t need Ichiro much this season. Hopefully the club stays healthy and all is right with the world come the end of October…but crystal balls don’t exist. The best-laid plans rarely go according to how they were mapped out. We have a solid insurance plan in place. Let’s hold on to it.

Let’s #StayCovered with IchiroCare.

Finally... here's  The Hold Steady – Constructive Summer





--Mike O'Hara, MLB Fan Cave Host, Season 1
   Twitter: @mikeyoh21
"Paulie was always my favorite player."



You've made BYB the fastest growing Yankees fan site in history. Now shop at the Bleeding Yankee Blue store!  Follow me on Twitter @BleednYankeeBlu and LIKE Bleeding Yankee Blue on Facebook!