SEATTLE -- The opening of Spring Training still is more than a month away, which gives the Mariners enough time to complete their offseason objectives.

It mostly has been slow-going so far, with more familiar names being gone than having arrived. General manager Bill Bavasi, relieved of his hot seat status following the Mariners' 88-win and second-place finish in the American League West last season, remains committed to boosting the starting rotation.

One step was taken in that direction during the Winter Meetings when Seattle selected right-hander R.A. Dickey -- a knuckleball specialist -- from the Twins' roster. Dickey instantly became a rotation candidate.

But an even bolder move occurred on Dec. 20 when the Mariners signed free agent right-hander Carlos Silva to a four-year, $44 million contract. That removed almost all of the sting left over following Seattle's unsuccessful pursuit of Japanese right-hander Hiroki Kuroda.

All of a sudden the rotation is taking shape.

If all goes according to plan during Spring Training, right-hander Felix Hernandez will be on the Safeco Field mound come March 31 to face the Rangers in the regular-season opener; left-hander Jarrod Washburn probably would start Game 2 of the three-game series, with either Silva or right-hander Miguel Batista starting the series finale.

But the rotation could change even more if the Mariners acquire left-hander Erik Bedard from the Orioles -- one of the hot rumors making the rounds on the Hot Stove circuit. As backups, the Mariners have left-hander Horacio Ramirez and right-hander Brandon Morrow competing for rotation spots, along with lefty Ryan Rowland-Smith.

Dickey could be the dark horse in camp. He has previous Major League experience, and thanks to his new bread-and-butter pitch, the knuckleball, could work his way into the rotation.

Barring a trade for Bedard, the Mariners will feature a new right fielder this season in Adam Jones, who takes over for Jose Guillen. Jones, the organization's first-round selection in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft, has a tough act to follow as Guillen batted .290, hit 24 home runs and drove in 99 runs last season.

Otherwise, all of the position starters from last season return. That, of course, includes Ichiro Suzuki, who begins his eighth MLB season with seven 200-hit seasons on his resume, and first baseman Richie Sexson.

When last seen, Sexson was the lightning rod for disgruntled Mariners fans, who didn't take kindly to his .205 batting average and 100 strikeouts in 121 games. It is imperative for hitting coach Jeff Pentland to help get Sexson back to the 40-home run, 100-RBI hitter he was for much of his MLB career.

	Season in Preview A lot can change by Opening Day, but as 2007 becomes 2008, this is who is projected to take the field for the Mariners:
	CF	Ichiro Suzuki
	DH	Jose Vidro
	3B	Adrian Beltre
	LF	Raul Ibanez
	1B	Richie Sexson
	C	Kenji Johjima
	RF	Adam Jones
	SS	Yuniesky Betancourt
	2B	Jose Lopez
	SP	Felix Hernandez
	SP	Jarrod Washburn
	SP	Miguel Batista
	SP	Horacio Ramirez
	CL	Brandon Morrow
	CL	J.J. Putz
	Schedules: Spring | Regular season Tickets: Spring | Regular season More previews: Select a team MLB Angels Astros Athletics Blue Jays Braves Brewers Cardinals Cubs D-backs Dodgers Giants Indians Mariners Marlins Mets Nationals Orioles Padres Phillies Pirates Rangers RaysRed Sox Reds Rockies Royals Tigers Twins White Sox Yankees

If that happens, it would take a load of pressure off the remainder of the offense, especially Jones, a potential big league star. He demonstrated in the Minors that he can throw, run and hit for average and power.

Grading on a curve: The Mariners went the extra mile to lure free agent right-hander Kuroda to Seattle, offering him a four-year contract. The Mariners also were the only organization to send club officials to Tokyo for face-to-face talks with the pitcher. But landing Silva actually might work out better. He is familiar with the American League and has been a workhorse for the Twins the past four seasons. If Dickey's knuckleball dances the way it can -- and the Mariners find a catcher who can catch the pitch -- he could mean as much to the '08 staff as Batista did in '07, when he led the team in wins with 16.

Arrivals: RHP R.A. Dickey, RHP Carlos Silva, INF Tug Hulett.

Departures: RF Jose Guillen, 1B/OF Ben Broussard, LHP John Parrish, RHP Jeff Weaver, RHP Chris Reitsma.

The Road Ahead: One more established starting pitcher probably is still needed if the Mariners are going to challenge the Angels in the AL West. First-year pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre has his hands full in putting together a quality rotation, but the offseason acquisitions should make his job easier. If he can cure what ills Ramirez, Washburn pitches up to his lofty salary and King Felix improves a little more, maybe the Mariners will reach the playoffs for the first time since 2001.