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SEATTLE — His game no longer matches the singular name, but the Yankees love his legs.
The Yankees acquired 10-time All-Star Ichiro Suzuki from the Mariners before last night’s game at Safeco Field.
Since the Yankees were riding a season-high four-game losing streak, manager Joe Girardi was asked if the deal for Ichiro was the result of the slide in which the Yankees had scored 10 total runs in four consecutive losses.
“I don’t think you base it on three or four games,’’ said Girardi, who put Ichiro in right field and batted him eighth in a 4-1 win over his former team. “It probably started when we knew [Brett Gardner] had surgery and we had the opportunity to obtain him. We are very excited to have him. He brings the speed we lost when Gardy had surgery. This is a big day for us.’’
How much Ichiro has left is a question that will be answered soon because when right fielder Nick Swisher returns from a hip flexor injury — most likely Friday — Ichiro is going to settle in as the regular left fielder and likely will be hitting eighth.
The Yankees sent minor league pitchers D.J. Mitchell and Danny Farquhar to the Mariners. Ichiro, 38, is in the final season of a five-year, $90 million contract that pays him $17 million this season — the Yankees will pay just $2.25 million of what remains of his salary.
Talent evaluators are split on what Ichiro can do for the Yankees. The career .322 hitter with 2,533 hits lugged a .261 average from the home clubhouse to the visitor’s room.
Ichiro donned No. 31 last night. His traditional No. 51 was the number of Yankees great Bernie Williams.
“He is a perfect fit for that club,’’ a evaluator said. “He will be energized.’’
Another longtime Ichiro-watcher wasn’t so sure.
“He has lost a step and a half,’’ he said. “He has a tendency to stay away from walls. He could have trouble fitting in with those guys.’’
According to Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln, Ichiro asked the club through agent Tony Attanasio whether it would consider trading him in order for younger players to develop.
About a week ago, Lincoln talked with Yankees president Randy Levine and informed him Ichiro was available. According to a Yankees source, the deal developed quickly and Ichiro went from the worst team in the AL to the one with the best record.
“I am going to a team with the most wins from a team with the most losses,’’ Ichiro said. “It’s hard to contain my excitement.’’
With Curtis Granderson entrenched in center field and Swisher the Yankees’ regular right fielder since 2009, the only spot for Ichiro is left, a position he is not very familiar with.
“I haven’t played left for a long time to be honest,’’ said Ichiro, who still has an above-average throwing arm. “The last time I played left was in a playoff game at Yankee Stadium [in 2001].’’
Girardi said Raul Ibanez and Andruw Jones will handle the designated hitter duties, and when Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez requires a DH day to rest, they will get full days off.
“I have always admired [Ichiro] from afar, I am looking forward to playing with him,’’ Jeter said. “He can play, he knows how to hit. When you play against him you have to be careful. He has been a consistent player for a long time.’’
Rodriguez gushed over the trade.
“Ichiro is a rock star and he likes the bright lights and we have plenty of them in New York,’’ he said.”It’s a huge shot in the arm for him and a huge shot in the arm for us.’’
george.king@nypost.com