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 [Carlos] 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.
The deal or no deal for Bedard may also affect another ex-Rattler:
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.
There are plenty of Jones supporters on Mariner blogs out there who are looking forward to the change in right field.
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