June 2012 - Seattle Mariners Wiretap

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."

Ichiro Suzuki is heading into the final year of his contract with the Mariners. The 38-year-old kicked off his 12th Major League season on Saturday during the team's first full-squad workout. "When I first came in 2001, I never thought that I would be here in 2012," he said through translator Antony Suzuki. "You can wish you'd be there, but you never know. So it's the little things that count and it's the little things that you build off, to where you've come this far." Suzuki, a 10-time Major League All-Star, is the team leader in hits with 10 straight seasons of 200 or more from 2001-10.

Vinnie Catricala has arrived at camp with the Mariners. Seattle plans to give the prospect a look at third base this spring. Originally drafted by the Indians in the 50th round back in 2006, the Mariners took the hitter in the 10th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft.

Felix Hernandez has echoed the sentiment of Seattle's front office, saying he is "not going anywhere." Trade speculation inevitably surfaces from time to time because the Mariners have finished last in the American League West two years running. At 25-years-old, Hernandez is entering his seventh full season. He signed a five-year, $78 million contract with Seattle last year. "I'm very happy with my career right now," Hernandez said. "I know I'm still young and still can learn something new. I've just got to keep learning and keep doing what I do." Hernandez lives most of the year with his family in Seattle. “I’m not going anywhere, man,” he said. “I’m staying here for a long time.”

The Mariners added Hector Noesi in the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero deal and he could be a potential member of their starting rotation. Noesi, 25, isn't worrying about his role as Seattle's camp kicks off. "I was excited because it's an opportunity here," Noesi said. "And things happen, because that's the way of this life. But I was surprised, too, because I thought they would let me stay with them. I thought, 'What am I doing now?' Everything is different." He pitched mostly out of the bullpen last year as a rookie with the Yankees, but came up through their system as a starter and relishes the idea of returning to that role. "Yeah, that's a good thing," he said. "Last year I was reliever. I felt it was easy because I'd work one inning, two innings, sometimes they used me three innings like a long reliever. So it's more easy. But I've always liked to start."

The 2012 season is officially under way with Seattle holding its first Spring Training workout on Sunday. The team's newest import from Japan, right-hander Hisashi Iwakuma, got plenty of attention. Seattle started spring training a week ahead of other teams because it will open its season early, on March 28 in Japan against Oakland.

Johnny Damon is still drawing interest from four different teams as Spring Training nears. The Yankees, Orioles, Mariners and Athletics are believed to be courting the outfielder/designated hitter.

The Mariners have signed former Dodgers left-hander Hong-Chih Kuo to a one-year deal. Kuo signed a major league contract and will be added to the Mariners' 40-man roster.

The Mariners have agreed to a Minor League contract with Carlos Guillen. Guillen started his career with Seattle and was there from 1998-03, playing in 488 games. Guillen is likely to compete for a reserve utility role with the Mariners.