Relationship rescue: Dr. Phil would say just win, baby

Sporting News, The, Dec 2, 2005 by Ken Rosenthal

Regardless of who is to blame, Mariners manager Mike Hargrove is in the middle of a fight he can't win. Either Hargrove repairs his relationship with Ichiro Suzuki or Hargrove soon will be looking for another job.

Hargrove and Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi deny a rift exists between the manager and the right fielder, but Ichiro's complaints to Japanese media about the atmosphere around the team reflect his frustration with Hargrove's leadership.

Several people with knowledge of the situation say there are philosophical differences between Ichiro and Hargrove and that Ichiro perceives Hargrove to be too laid-back, which creates an undisciplined environment. Those people say the relationship, from Ichiro's perspective, is "untenable" and "potentially irreconcilable."

Hargrove disagrees. "We have a good relationship, a working relationship," the manager says. "I don't know that there's anything bad about it."

Ichiro doesn't want to be traded; he is comfortable in Seattle. His sentiment could change, however, if the Mariners fail to address his concerns. Both Ichiro's and Hargrove's contracts expire after the 2007 season. At this point, it's difficult to imagine Ichiro's signing an extension if Hargrove stays.

The risk for Hargrove is obvious: Ichiro is a Japanese star playing for mostly Japanese ownership and is a central figure in the Mariners' marketing efforts. Hargrove, a manager with no previous link to the club, is much more disposable.

The Mariners are coming off back-to-back 90-loss seasons, the first of which occurred under Bob Melvin. It is not unusual for star players to grow frustrated under such circumstances. Nor is it unusual for certain teammates and superiors to grow frustrated with a star player, which seems to be occurring with Ichiro in Seattle.

Some of Ichiro's differences with Hargrove are cultural; Ichiro brought different ideas from Japan about how to play the game. But their conflict also is typical of those that routinely fill sports pages. Ichiro never will be Terrell Owens, but like most superstars, Ichiro is stubborn and wants things a certain way.

Though some Mariners share Ichiro's negative opinion of Hargrove, others praise the manager. "Hargrove is doing a great job as far as handling the players," says second baseman Bret Boone, who was traded by the team this past season. "And that comes from someone who had the year I had."

Some people, both inside and outside the Mariners' clubhouse, view Ichiro as inflexible and selfish. The complaints range from his failure to dive for balls to his reluctance to steal bases in tight situations to his preoccupation with personal statistics.

"I would not characterize him as a selfish player," Bavasi says. "But I think you have to talk to him to understand that."

Hargrove does not seem dissatisfied. "He may be the most prepared player I've ever had," says Hargrove, who managed the Indians for nine seasons and the Orioles for four. "I thought Albert Belle prepared as well as anybody I've ever seen. Ichiro takes it beyond Belle."

The solution is the same as it always is in these situations--the team must win. If it happens, Hargrove's laissez-faire style will be much less of an issue, as will Ichiro's idiosyncratic approach. But if the losing continues, Ichiro's frustration will only increase. Some things are not lost in the translation: When it's superstar vs. manager, the superstar almost always wins.

speed read

The bidding for free-agent A.J. Burnett could rise to six years and $72 million, an insane price for a pitcher with past arm trouble and a sub-.500 career record. Even with the labor agreement expiring after next season, owners and players will be in no position to complain. There's plenty of money in the game.

INSIDE DISH

Diamondbacks RHP Javier Vazquez, who has exercised his right to demand a trade, isn't adamant about landing with an East Coast club. A trade to the Cardinals, Cubs or Indians would satisfy his desire to get closer to his native Puerto Rico. * Upon learning of the Blue Jays' five-year, $50 million offer to free-agent RHPA.J. Burnett, one executive said, "If Billy (Beane) was hesitating on trading (LHP Barry) Zito, I would think this would have him placing billboards saying, 'Former Cy Young winner for sale, lightly used: outside every team's stadium." Zito, a free agent after next season, is owed a mere $8.25 million in 2006. * Dayton Moore's decision to remain a Braves assistant G.M. rather than pursue the Red Sox's G.M. job raises questions about which Braves executive might succeed current G.M. John Schuerholz. Moore's continuing ascent could lead Frank Wren, also a Braves assistant G.M., to pursue another position. * New Phillies G.M. Pat Gillick is expected to do something big; RF Bobby Abreu would be perfect for the Cubs, giving them a lefthanded slugger to hit between righthanders 1B Derrek Lee and 3B Aramis Ramirez, or for the Mariners, who also want to add lefthanded power. * Lee no doubt is rooting for his White Sox counterpart, free agent Paul Konerko, to get a monster deal. Lee has an .864 career on-base/slugging percentage (Konerko's is .837), and Lee might be the best defensive first baseman in the game. * The Cardinals could lose both 2B Mark Grudzlelanek and IF Abraham Nunez as free agents. Nunez wants to play regularly. The Red Sox, Rangers, Royals and Mets are pursuing Grudzielanek.