Matter of Ichiro could drag on through summer

SEATTLE – From now until it’s settled, one issue overrides all others for the already issue-overloaded Seattle Mariners: the future of Ichiro Suzuki.

It looks like that issue’s going to be around for a while.

Sure, pitching ace Felix Hernandez showed up at Safeco Field on Wednesday, noticeably slimmed down from last season. Yes, there are three holes in Seattle’s rotation that the Mariners are trying to fill with guys mostly unknown outside their families.

And no one has forgotten team chairman Howard Lincoln’s declaration four months ago that general manager Bill Bavasi and manager Mike Hargrove “are on my hot seat” following three consecutive last-place finishes in the American League West.

But whether Ichiro – a six-time All-Star, six-time Gold Glove outfielder and the first player in major league history with 200 hits in each of his first six seasons – stays or leaves after his $44 million, four-year contract ends in October is the weightiest issue of all.

Still, Bavasi said Seattle isn’t dropping everything to get Ichiro settled before spring training begins in three weeks – or even before the season starts on April 2.

“It’s a top priority,” Bavasi said. “But the timing is not that important. Whatever he and Tony (Attanasio, his agent) are comfortable with. And whatever our ownership is comfortable with.”

So the potentially tricky negotiations with the franchise cornerstone could drag through the summer.

“I think it should be an issue,” Bavasi said. “But – I don’t know if you want to believe me – but (urgency) is not going to be an issue here.”

Ichiro is in Japan, working out and preparing to report to spring training in Peoria, Ariz., on Feb. 19 for his annual physical.

Hargrove said he exchanged “positive” e-mails with Ichiro this month in which the superstar expressed excitement about the coming season.

Hargrove said that Ichiro will play regularly in center field this season. Newly signed Jose Guillen, coming off ligament replacement surgery in his throwing arm, will be in Ichiro’s former spot of right field.

Ichiro waits for the Mariners to present a contract offer.

Attanasio did not immediately return a message left at his San Diego office. But earlier this month, he told The Seattle Times: “We stand today where we stood weeks ago, months ago. We have told the club that when they are prepared to talk, we would listen.

“I didn’t say we would negotiate – I said we would listen.”