They'll Be Swinging Elsewhere

With the Free Agent signing period not yet here, the player moves making news involve clubs picking up or decline options on veteran players. And two very familiar faces learned they're not returning to their 2017 clubs next season. Coming off a .255 season with the Marlins, Ichiro won't be returning to the Marlins, and may have reached the end of the line as a major leaguer. Having just turned 44, the future Hall of Famer seemed noticeably slower -- for the first time failed to reach double digits in stolen bases.. And his two-million dollar salary likely doesn't the salary for a bench player under the Sherman/Jeter ownership. But his place in history is secure: his .312 career average over 17 years, includes setting the single-season record for hits.
Jose Bautista is the classic late bloomer, bouncing through three other organizations before sticking with the Pirates at age 25. But he didn't reach stardom until becoming a Blue Jay -- where he smashed 54 and 43 homers his first two seasons on Canada's team. He was also an on-base percentage specialist, walking 100 times or more four different times. "Joey Bats" slowed down after passing age 35, and after two less productive seasons, Toronto said its goodbyes. It's questionable whether another team will be interesed in him -- his 23 homers don't look as appealing alongside a .203 average and 170 strikeouts.
So if it's goodbye for Ichiro and Bautista, it's also time to thank them both for a job well done.