The Seattle Mariners are going to have a lot of competition for rotation spots behind Felix Hernandez and Jason Vargas this spring. The Mariners have a motley crew ready to compete for jobs in the starting rotation as they have a guy from Japan, some veterans trying to get back into the groove and some young guys trying to make their mark in the show. Here is a look at the Mariners’ starting rotation as of today:

#1: Felix Hernandez: 25-year old Felix Hernandez is the ace of the Mariners’ pitching staff. He pitched in 33 games (all starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 14-14 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. A lack of run support was the reason for Hernandez’ .500 record in 2011 as he continues to be one of the best pitchers in all of baseball. He has now pitched in 206 games (205 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 85-67 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. If the Mariners start hitting the ball better, I look for Hernandez to make another run at a Cy Young Award in 2012.

#2: Jason Vargas: 28-year old lefty Jason Vargas seems to have found a home in Seattle. He pitched in 32 games (all starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 10-13 with a 4.25 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Vargas has now pitched in 86 games (77 starts) in his first three years with the Mariners and he is 22-31 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. Vargas has now pitched in 117 games (97 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 28-39 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Mariners are hoping for another decent year out of Vargas in 2012.

#3, #4 and #5: Hisashi Iwakuma: 30-year old righty Hisashi Iwakuma will be one of the top competitors for a starting job this spring. He pitched in 17 games (all starts) in Japan last year and he was 6-7 with a 2.42 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Iwakuma has now pitched in 113 games (all starts) in his five years in Japan and he is 55-31 with a 2.67 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. He has had a lot of success in Japan, and the Mariners hope that it translates into solid pitching in the majors.

Blake Beavan: 23-year old righty Blake Beavan pitched in 15 games (all starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 5-6 with a 4.27 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Beavan also pitched in 16 games (all starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 5-3 with a 4.45 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. Beavan is one of the favorites to win a rotation spot as spring training opens next month.

Charlie Furbush: 25-year old lefty Charlie Furbush really struggled with the Mariners this year. He pitched in 11 games (10 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 3-7 with a 6.62 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Furbush pitched in 28 games (12 starts) overall for the Tigers & Mariners last year and he was 4-10 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP. If Furbush pitches like he did in Detroit last year, he will likely nail down a spot in the Mariners’ rotation.

Kevin Millwood: 37-year old righty Kevin Millwood earned his way back to the majors with the Rockies last year after working his way back up by pitching well in AAA. He pitched in 9 games (all starts) for the Rockies last year and he was 4-3 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. He has now pitched in 423 games (415 starts) in his first 15 years in the majors and he is 163-140 with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP. Millwood won the ERA crown in the American League (2.86) back in 2005 with the Cleveland Indians, working for Mariners’ manager Eric Wedge. If he shows he has a lot left in the gas tank this spring, look for him to lock up a job in the starting rotation in 2012.

Hector Noesi: 25-year old righty Hector Noesi was part of the return from the Yankees in the huge Michael Pineda deal. Noesi pitched in 30 games (2 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 2-2 with a 4.47 ERA and a 1.51 WHIP. He also pitched in 6 games (5 starts) in AAA-ball for the Yankees last year and he was 1-1 with a 3.28 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. Noesi will likely get a job in the pen for the Mariners in 2012 if he misses out on the starting rotation.

Oliver Perez: 30-year old lefty Oliver Perez is looking to work his way back to the majors in 2012. He pitched in 16 games (15 starts) in AA-ball last year for the Nationals and he was 3-5 with a 3.09 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Perez last pitched in the majors back in 2010 with the Mets. Perez has now pitched in 206 games (195 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 58-69 with a 4.63 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP. If the Mariners can get Perez back to throwing strikes, he could be a wild card for them in 2012 at some point.

Matt Fox: 29-year old righty Matt Fox is a longshot to win a job in the Mariners’ rotation. He pitched in 28 games (21 starts) in AAA-ball for the Red Sox last year and he was 10-4 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP. Fox last pitched in the majors (his only experience in the show) back in 2010 with the Red Sox & Twins. Fox pitched in 4 games (1 start) for the Twins and Red Sox in 2012 and he was 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP.

Jeff Marquez: 27-year old righty Jeff Marquez is a longshot to win a spot in the Mariners’ starting rotation. He pitched in 3 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-0 with a 2.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Marquez also pitched in 4 levels in the minor leagues last year working in 18 games (all starts) in which he was 6-5 with a 3.71 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP. Marquez has now pitched in 4 games (0 starts) in his first two years in the majors and he is 0-0 with a 5.40 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP.

Anthony Vasquez: 25-year old lefty Anthony Vasquez pitched really well in the minors last year. He pitched in 24 games (all starts) in AA+AAA-ball for the Mariners last year and he was 9-10 with a 3.57 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP. Vasquez had a rough time with the Mariners though. He pitched in 7 games (all starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 1-6 with a 8.90 ERA and a 1.91 WHIP. Vasquez gave up 46 hits and an amazingly awful 13 homers in only 29 1/3 innings for the Mariners last year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE STARTING ROTATION IN 2012: C-

43-year old Eric Wedge has not had a lot of success in the majors as a manager but at least he will give the Mariners a new direction. Wedge last managed in the majors back in 2009 with the Indians when he led them to a 65-97 (40.1%) record which got him fired. Wedge now has a 561-573 (49.5%) record during the regular season in his first 7 years in charge. He is also 6-5 (54.5%) in the post season. Don’t expect miracles out of Wedge in 2011 as he will be going into a lot of gun fights with butter knives this year.

29-year old righty David Aardsma is going to start the 2011 season on the D.L. as he continues to rehab from hip surgery. Aardsma pitched in 53 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 0-6 with 31 saves, a 3.44 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has now pitched in 126 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Mariners and he is 3-12 with 69 saves, a 2.90 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He only has given up 82 hits and he has whiffed 129 batters in his first 121 innings for the Mariners which shows what kind of stuff he has. But, he has also walked 59 batters with the Mariners and that gets him into his fair share of trouble. Aardsma should get his closer job back when he gets healthy.

29-year old righty Brandon League will be the closer until David Aardsma is ready to return to action. League pitched in 70 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 9-7 with 6 saves, a 3.42 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP. League has now pitched in 238 games (0 starts) in his first seven years in the majors and he is 16-17 with 8 saves, a 3.90 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. League has the stuff to be the Mariners’ full-time closer if Aardsma’s rehab doesn’t go too well or if the Mariners deal him.

30-year old righty Chris Ray will likely be the set-up man for the Mariners when the 2011 season begins. Ray pitched in 63 games (0 starts) for the Giants & Rangers last year and he was 5-0 with 2 saves, a 3.72 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. Ray has now pitched in 254 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 15-17 with 51 saves, a 4.02 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. Ray can also close in a pinch for the Mariners.

36-year old righty Jamey Wright is back for the Mariners in 2011. Wright pitched in 28 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 0-1 with a 3.41 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He pitched in 46 games (0 starts) overall for the Mariners & Indians last year and he was 1-3 with a 4.17 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. He has now pitched in 466 games (246 starts) in his first 15 years in the majors and he is 83-118 with a 5.00 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. I am utterly amazed that Wright is still pitching in the majors.

26-year old righty Shawn Kelley will start the season late as he is still rehabbing from surgery. Kelley pitched in 22 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 3-1 with a 3.96 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Kelley has now pitched in 63 games (0 starts) in his first two years with the Mariners and he is 8-5 with a 4.31 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP.

30-year old lefty Royce Ring appears to have made the Mariners’ bullpen out of spring training. Ring pitched in 5 games (0 starts) for the Yankees last year and he was 0-0 with a 15.43 ERA and a 2.14 WHIP. He also pitched in 52 games (0 starts) in AAA-ball last year and he was 2-1 with 2 saves, a 1.93 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. Ring has now pitched in 99 games (0 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 3-3 with a 5.29 ERA and a 1.57 WHIP. He might surprise the Mariners this year as he has never really gotten a full season shot at the majors yet.

33-year old righty Justin Miller could also make the Mariners as a long man in the pen. Miller pitched in 19 games (0 starts) for the Dodgers last year and he was 0-0 with a 4.44 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. Miller has now pitched in 216 games (33 starts) in his first 7 years in the majors and he is 24-14 with a 4.82 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.

29-year old righty Manny Delcarmen will have to work his way up through the minors if he wants to get to Seattle in 2011. Delcarmen pitched in 57 games (0 starts) for the Red Sox & Rockies last year and he was 3-4 with a 4.99 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. He has now pitched in 298 games (0 starts) in his first six years in the majors and he is 11-8 with 3 saves, a 3.97 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP. If he gets his head on straight, Delcarmen could help the Mariners at some point in 2011.

24-year old righty Danny Cortes comes into this season as the Mariners’ #10 prospect heading into 2011. He pitched in 4 games (0 starts) for the Mariners last year and he was 0-1 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Cortes also pitched in 34 games (16 starts) in AA+AAA-ball last year and he was 7-6 with 2 saves, a 5.23 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP. Cortes will likely get another shot in 2011 with the Mariners as long as he pitches better in the minors to start the year.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE MARINERS BULLPEN IN 2011: C-

24-year old righty Felix Hernandez won the A.L. Cy Young Award last season despite not getting much run support in 2011. King Felix started 34 games for the Mariners last season and he was 13-12 with a 2.27 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. He also led the majors last season with 249 2/3 innings pitched which led the American League. Hernandez has now pitched in 172 games (all starts) in his first six years with the Mariners and he is 71-53 with a 3.20 ERA and a 1.23 WHIP. King Felix is the best pitcher in the American League without a doubt and the Mariners have a good chance to win whenever he’s on the pitching mound.

28-year old lefty Jason Vargas really pitched well for the Mariners last season, but like Hernandez, he was betrayed by the Mariners’ offense in 2010. Vargas started 31 games for the Mariners last season and he was 9-12 with a 3.78 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has now pitched in 85 games (65 starts) in his first five years in the majors and he is 18-26 with a 4.66 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP. Vargas was once a very highly thought of prospect when he was with the Marlins, it’s looking like he’s a late bloomer.

27-year old righty Doug Fister pounds the strike zone which gives him a chance to compete on most nights despite not having overwhelming stuff. Fister started 28 games for the Mariners last season and he was 6-14 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. He has now pitched in 39 games (38 starts) in his first two years with the Mariners and he is 9-18 with a 4.11 ERA and a 1.28 WHIP. Fister is very consistent but what you see is what you’re going to get out of him.

23-year old righty Michael Pineda looks like he’s going to win a job in the Mariners’ rotation this spring. He is the Mariners’ #2 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Pineda started 25 games in AA+AAA-ball last season and he was 11-4 with a 3.36 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. He whiffed 154 batters and he only walked 34 batters in 139 1/3 innings which shows how nasty his stuff is as well as how good his control and command are. Pineda has now pitched in 86 games (71 starts) in his first five years in the minors and he is 31-14 with a 2.49 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP.

32-year old lefty Erik Bedard is going to try to win the #5 job in the rotation for the Mariners in 2011. Bedard started 3 games in Rookie+AAA-ball for the Mariners last season and he was 0-0 with a 1.64 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. In three years with the Mariners, Bedard has started 30 games in which he is 11-7 with a 3.24 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. If Bedard’s finally over his shoulder troubles, he might give the Mariners a solid year in 2011.

25-year old lefty Luke French pitched in 16 games (13 starts) for the Mariners last season and he was 5-7 with a 4.83 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. He has now pitched in 24 games (20 starts) in his first two years with the Mariners and he is 8-10 with a 5.37 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP. French appears a tad short on stuff to succeed in the majors according to my eyes.

27-year old righty David Pauley pitched in 19 games (15 starts) for the Mariners last season and he was 4-9 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He has now pitched in 28 games (20 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 4-12 with a 5.37 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Even if Pauley doesn’t make it into the Mariners’ rotation, he will still likely win a job as a long man in the bullpen.

25-year old lefty Aaron Laffey is also a longshot for the rotation but he will likely win a job in the pen. Laffey pitched in 29 games (5 starts) for the Indians last season and he was 2-3 with a 4.53 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. He has now pitched in 79 games (49 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 18-21 with 1 save, a 4.41 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Laffey will need to start throwing more strikes if he’s going to be really effective in the majors.

26-year old righty Yusmeiro Petit pitched in 24 games (6 starts) in AAA-ball last season and he was 4-2 with a 4.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. He last pitched in the majors back in 2009 with the D-Backs. Petit has now pitched in 71 games (36 starts) in his first four years in the majors and he is 10-20 with a 5.57 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Petit is another soft tosser who is going to have a hard time having much success in the majors.

27-year old righty knuckleballer Charlie Haeger pitched in 9 games (6 starts) for the Dodgers last season and he was 0-4 with a 8.40 ERA and a 2.07 WHIP. He has now pitched in 34 games (10 starts) in parts of five years in the majors and he is 2-7 with 1 save, a 6.40 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP. Haeger will have to pitch good in the minors in 2011 before the Mariners think of giving him a shot in their rotation.

33-year old lefty Nate Robertson will start the year in the minors on a rehab assignment due to elbow surgery. He pitched in 21 games (18 starts) for the Marlins and Phillies and he was 6-8 with a 5.95 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP. Robertson has now pitched in 223 games (187 starts) in his first 9 years in the majors and he is 57-77 with 1 save, a 5.01 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP. If the Mariners need Robertson in 2011, something has gone horribly wrong in the starting rotation.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE MARINERS STARTING ROTATION IN 2011: C+

37-year old lefty swinging Ichiro Suzuki is still the man for the Seattle Mariners. Ichiro played in 162 games for the Mariners last season and he was 214 of 680 (.315 avg, .754 OPS) with 74 runs scored, 6 homers, 43 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. Since coming to the Mariners, Ichiro has had 10 consecutive years winning a Gold Glove, making the All-Star team and having more than 200 hits. Ichiro had 4 errors in 160 games in RF for the Mariners last season while showing off excellent range. He also had 7 assists as he still has a very strong throwing arm. Ichiro is still one of the best all-around players in the A.L.

Gabe Gross and Ryan Langerhans could give Ichiro a day off if he really needs one. Gross played in 50 error-free games in RF last season while showing good range. Langerhans played in 8 error-free games in RF last season while showing out of this world range.

PROJECTED GRADE FOR THE MARINERS RF IN 2011: A