Published: Friday, January 27, 2012
Mariners dropping Ichiro from leadoff spot in lineup?
SEATTLE -- After more than a decade atop the Mariners lineup, Ichiro Suzuki very well may find himself in unfamiliar territory when the 2012 season opens.
Suzuki opened his Mariners career with an MVP season in 2001 as a leadoff hitter, and with a few rare exceptions, has held down that spot throughout his career. But after a 2011 season that saw him post career lows in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and hits, Suzuki might be moving down in the order as manager Eric Wedge looks for ways to revive an offense that has been the worst in baseball for two straight seasons.
"I haven't made any firm decisions," Wedge said at the team's annual pre-spring training luncheon. "I've made it very clear over the course of the winter I'm thinking about it, and I'm even further down the road to where I'm leaning in that direction to have Ichi hit somewhere else."
It's no secret that Suzuki, who is in the final year of his contract, prefers to hit leadoff, but for a young team trying to bounce back from back-to-back last-place seasons that saw the Mariners score the fewest runs in the major leagues, worrying about one player's preferences is not the priority.
"I know it's a big deal to everybody," Wedge said. "I can't get caught up in that. My job is to make sure I communicate that to Ichiro, make sure everyone understands exactly what the options are, and what they're fighting for, and what I'm thinking about. That's what I'm going to continue to do."
Wedge said options to hit leadoff aside from Suzuki include Dustin Ackley, Chone Figgins and Franklin Gutierrez. And whoever leads off, whether it's Suzuki or someone else, Wedge is expecting a lot more out of his offense this season.
"Ultimately, it's not just about Ichiro, it's about our club, and it's about his 24 other teammate," Wedge said. "Ichiro understands that, and I damn sure understand it. What we're going to do is make sure we put out the best possible lineup to score more runs. It's not acceptable the amount of runs we've scored the last couple of years."
M's in good health
The Mariners have plenty of concerns heading into this season, but for the most part health isn't one of them. Trainer Rick Griffin listed off a number of players who had injuries last season, including shortstop Brendan Ryan (neck), outfielder Casper Wells (balance disorder), catcher Adam Moore (knee) and Figgins (hip flexor), and said all are doing well and will be ready to go for spring training.
In addition, Gutierrez, who battled irritable bowel syndrome the past two seasons and ended last year weighing just 183 pounds, is up to 197 pounds according to Griffin, having put on 14 pounds that Griffin said is all muscle. Griffin added that Gutierrez has gone 10 months without any stomach problems.
"He looked great," Wedge said. "Strong as I've ever seen him... I expect great things from him. I really do."
Figgins to play "all over"
A year after hitting just .188, Figgins will try to bounce back in 2012 without a regular position. Wedge said Figgins, primarily a third baseman last year is, "Going to have reps everywhere in the outfield as well as second, short and third. So we're going to have him all over the place. I'm going to give him every opportunity to play."
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.
Suzuki opened his Mariners career with an MVP season in 2001 as a leadoff hitter, and with a few rare exceptions, has held down that spot throughout his career. But after a 2011 season that saw him post career lows in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage and hits, Suzuki might be moving down in the order as manager Eric Wedge looks for ways to revive an offense that has been the worst in baseball for two straight seasons.
"I haven't made any firm decisions," Wedge said at the team's annual pre-spring training luncheon. "I've made it very clear over the course of the winter I'm thinking about it, and I'm even further down the road to where I'm leaning in that direction to have Ichi hit somewhere else."
It's no secret that Suzuki, who is in the final year of his contract, prefers to hit leadoff, but for a young team trying to bounce back from back-to-back last-place seasons that saw the Mariners score the fewest runs in the major leagues, worrying about one player's preferences is not the priority.
"I know it's a big deal to everybody," Wedge said. "I can't get caught up in that. My job is to make sure I communicate that to Ichiro, make sure everyone understands exactly what the options are, and what they're fighting for, and what I'm thinking about. That's what I'm going to continue to do."
Wedge said options to hit leadoff aside from Suzuki include Dustin Ackley, Chone Figgins and Franklin Gutierrez. And whoever leads off, whether it's Suzuki or someone else, Wedge is expecting a lot more out of his offense this season.
"Ultimately, it's not just about Ichiro, it's about our club, and it's about his 24 other teammate," Wedge said. "Ichiro understands that, and I damn sure understand it. What we're going to do is make sure we put out the best possible lineup to score more runs. It's not acceptable the amount of runs we've scored the last couple of years."
M's in good health
The Mariners have plenty of concerns heading into this season, but for the most part health isn't one of them. Trainer Rick Griffin listed off a number of players who had injuries last season, including shortstop Brendan Ryan (neck), outfielder Casper Wells (balance disorder), catcher Adam Moore (knee) and Figgins (hip flexor), and said all are doing well and will be ready to go for spring training.
In addition, Gutierrez, who battled irritable bowel syndrome the past two seasons and ended last year weighing just 183 pounds, is up to 197 pounds according to Griffin, having put on 14 pounds that Griffin said is all muscle. Griffin added that Gutierrez has gone 10 months without any stomach problems.
"He looked great," Wedge said. "Strong as I've ever seen him... I expect great things from him. I really do."
Figgins to play "all over"
A year after hitting just .188, Figgins will try to bounce back in 2012 without a regular position. Wedge said Figgins, primarily a third baseman last year is, "Going to have reps everywhere in the outfield as well as second, short and third. So we're going to have him all over the place. I'm going to give him every opportunity to play."
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com.
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