Could Ichiro Make a Good No. 3 Hitter?

With Ichiro out for 15 days with a bleeding ulcer, this change can't be effective immediately, but it might be a good idea.

Ichiro is not none for power; many analysts have said "he could hit for power if he wanted."

Well, from the M's three spot, they don't need too much power.

Yet, Ichiro seems to have the perfect amount of power.

I have seen this man hit a home run, and it seemed like a normal thing for him. You know, normally, when contact guys try to hit for power, it looks funny.

Well, not Ichiro.

And, he did have 15 homers in 2006.

If you say I'm crazy and no other player has done this, well, let me tell you a great example:

Carl Crawford, Tampa Bay Rays.

With too many leadoff men in the order, they chose Crawford to hit third because he had the most power, in Joe Maddon's mind.

I think it's the same way with the Mariners.

Too many leadoff men.

So, who will fill the elusive leadoff spot?

Yuniesky Betancourt.

And if this idea doesn't work, switch the lineups around again. In my opinion, I'd like the lineup to look like this:

1.  Yuni

2.  Lopez

3.  Ichiro

4.  Beltre

5.  Branyan

6.  Griffey

7.  Johjima

8.  Chavez

9.  Gutierrez