Ichiro is one of the best overall ballplayers in the game, if not in the last 10 years...
...but long-term, Tori Hunter is a better investment. He's also pretty damn great too.
Anyway, one problem that Ichiro has in Seattle is that hes not friendly with the press. If he had problems with the Seattle(and apparently, with the past Japanese) media, would he survive New York, or become a new Randy Johnson "Shove-Off-Gate"?
I like Ichiro's consistency at the plate more though. Both are great fielders, but Ichiro has better speed and a better arm.
And, I think having Matsui already established would help Ichiro, because he could kind of have a media ally if you will.
