The Mariners were last in the majors in runs each of the past two seasons, scoring even fewer runs in 2010 (513) and 2011 (556) than they did in 1994 when the last two months of the season were cancelled due to the strike.

One attempt to boost the offense was trading Michael Pineda this winter for rookie catcher Jesus Montero. Another move is interesting -- or puzzling, depending on your view. Manager Eric Wedge said Tuesday that Ichiro, who hit five home runs and batted a career-low .274 last year, will bat third and Chone Figgins, who batted just .188 with a .241 OPS last year, will lead off.

Moving your worst hitter into the leadoff slot and a singles hitter to the third slot is not the approach most sabermetricians would advise but the Mariners hope the moves will have a positive effect on the two players.

“The impact Ichiro can have on the middle of our lineup is greater than the impact he can have at the top of our lineup,” Wedge said. “It’s that simple. You look at some of the other options and what that means to our ballclub if we can get a Chone Figgins going … that has a tremendous impact.”

Ichiro hit under .300 and had fewer than 200 hits last year. Wedge said he came into camp having made some adjustments to his stance.

“Ichiro is a very smart hitter and any adjustment he’s making is because there is good reason for it in his mind,” Wedge said. “I don’t think he made any changes from a batting-stance standpoint in regard to just hitting third but I do know one thing -- he’s stronger and he knew this was an option and I think he’s prepared for it.

“He understands what are the responsibilities and priorities of someone hitting third.”

Wedge said he talked with Ichiro about batting third over the winter, then explained why he wanted him to do so Monday.

“He was great,” Wedge said. “It wasn’t out of left field because we had those talks (over the winter). I think he was more than prepared for it. I think he came in here knowing it was a serious option and part of him even expected it. He’s on board. I was very clear with him and he was very clear with me.”

Figgins had a .395 OBP and scored 114 runs batting mostly leadoff for the Angels in 2009 but has been awful batting out of that slot since joining the Mariners. Seattle owes him at least $17 million through next year.

“I’m confident that Figgins can get back to his old self as a leadoff hitter,” Wedge said. “That’s when he was the Figgins who produced, got on base and scored runs and was really a pain for opposing teams when he did lead off for Anaheim. I feel like to give him the greatest chance to get on track and succeed is to give him the opportunity to lead off for us.”

Wedge said Dustin Ackley will likely bat second though the lineup slots are all dependent on what happens in spring.