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Great questions, G.
 
Why would you expect a .350 April when Ichiro has only ever done that once?
First ... more accurately I should have said "If Ichiro is going to hit .350 in any month, it is probably going to be April."
Yes ... that goes against his career norm. However, it fits EXACTLY with what he did in 2011. The entire foundation for discussing Ichiro at this moment is directly due to the understanding by everyone that Ichiro is *NOT* the same hitter he has been for the bulk of his career. In 2011, he had a .758 OPS for the month. He didn't crack .700 for any other month. That's 5 consecutive months under .700. 
My premise here is that humans, as a species, as we age, heal more slowly than earlier in our lives.  For the first 9 years of his career his body could repair daily damage in 24 hours.  So, he was basically as fresh tomorrow as today.  But, at age 38, if his body takes 36 hours to repair or 48 ... the end result is damage accumulates instead of healing.  His body will be closest to 100% on opening day.  Thereafter ... if he continues to play every day, (which has to date been confirmed), then the wear and tear will exacerbate whatever actual skill decline there is. 
2) He IS going through a transition
If I accept this ... then what is supposed to improve from here moving forward?  His LD%?  Not likely.  His contact rate?  Basically impossible.  His K-rate?  Fuhgetaboutit.
Based on Doc's assessment, he is swinging ONLY at strikes in the zone, and he's belting them for line drives.  His walk rate could certainly improve.  But that would require some degree of cooperation from the opposition.  The fear of Ichiro is gone at this point.  Heck, even last year Ichiro was IBBed 13 times.  Anyone think that's happening again?
I've seen all the games, and he doesn't look done, man
And this is what scares me.  That's the consensus from everyone who has watched him.  He doesn't "look" done.  Yet, he's still running a .295 BABIP and .690 OPS.  Yes, it's small sample.  Yes, I could be suffering from higher expectations of a quicker start.
But ... before the season began ... when he was slotted to hit 3rd ... my assessment was as follows:
He'd steal less, because of the lineup issues.  (1 attempt, successful in 11 games).
He'd try to hit harder, (27% line drive rate)
For Ichiro, hitting harder drives his BABIP down, not up.  (.295 BABIP)
He'd get fewer infield hits, (11.1% so far - similar to 2011).
I felt he'd start quickly because of the extra motivation of proving something after his poor 2011, coupled with the motivation to excel as a #3 hitter.  The "mental" issues would work in his favor.  The lineup variables work against his remaining skillset.  The aging issues will accumulate as the year unfolds.
The issue of reading the tea leaves for aging stars is one not heavily studied.  My basic take is that decoupling of BABIP with career norms tends to be the canary in the coal mine.  That hit Ichiro in 2011.  For me ... the upside scenario would be something like Jeter last year ... gaining back half of the BABIP plunge.  But, Jeter in all honesty had more tools to play with to buy another year. 
Hey.  I'd be more than happy if Ichiro proves me wrong ... hits .850 in May and June and wins another Gold Glove.  But, when I look at the numbers ... I just don't see how that happens.