After 11 seasons as a premiere leadoff hitter, Ichiro Suzuki will begin the 2012 season as Seattle's No. 3 hitter. The Mariners have finished last in the American League in offense three straight years and are looking for a spark. Chone Figgins and Dustin Ackley will be the likely Nos. 1 and 2 hitters, respectively. "He's as smart a baseball player as we have in there, and he understands the game very well," manager Eric Wedge said. "He understands what the responsibility and priorities are with somebody hitting third, and I'm trusting in that. "I had a good talk with him yesterday. It wasn't out of left field, because we've had discussions [previously]. He's on board. He's ready to go."