SodoMojo’s Top-10 Most-Viewed Mariners Stories of 2014

Sep 28, 2014; Boston, MA, USA; New York Yankees shortstop

(2) is congratulated by right fielder Ichiro Suzuki (31) after being replaced by a pinch runner during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

2: The Seattle Mariners Should Not Bring Back Ichiro:

After hearing the Ichiro rumblings, Matt Seto quickly defended a Mariners 2015 that should not include Ichiro.

Ignoring the feel-good, returning-home nature such a signing would have, Matt looked objectively at the Mariners situation:

"After yesterday’s rumor began, I immediately got some backlash from other Mariners fans. Most common was that the Mariners should not be bringing him back, simply because they don’t NEED him. I’m inclined to agree. As with all baseball players, we need to look at this from both an offensive and defensive point of view."

Matt compared James Jones and Ichiro, arguing that the Mariners had found their slap-hitting speed-demon outfielder of the future, and bringing Ichiro back would only steal at-bats from the Jones who is the future of the team. Ichiro would be a year, maybe two, of a fun story that wouldn’t add a lot of substance at the plate.

I for one agree with Matt: the M’s really don’t need Ichiro. He would just take reps away from the young guys who need experience. There are more than enough veteran outfielders in Seattle.

And, with THE TOP STORY of 2014 at Sodo Mojo, we have a rumor that spanned calendar years and started many a debate about the Mariners needs in the outfield: