Mariners lefthander Erik Bedard. There have already been rumors that the Phillies would be a logical landing spot for Bedard (4-4, 4.26) as Seattle’s season continues to crumble. The suggestion is that the Phillies would package a bundle of their top prospects in exchange for a guy the M’s gave up a lot to get before the start of the season. It remains to be seen if the Phillies are willing to empty their minor league cupboard. Bedard is making $7 million this year and can’t be a free agent until 2010. He’s also an introverted sort and some wonder if he would thrive in a city like Philadelphia, New York or Boston. — Philadelphia Daily News
Posts Tagged ‘erik bedard’
Marines dealing Bedard to Phillies?
Saturday, June 14th, 2008After long process, Mariners finally get Bedard
Friday, February 8th, 2008Left-hander Erik Bedard was acquired by the Seattle Mariners from the Baltimore Orioles on Friday in a long-delayed trade for five prospects. Baltimore received outfielder Adam Jones, who probably will start in center field in opening day. The Orioles also obtained reliever Georg Sherrill and pitchers Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio.
Bedard, Baltimore’s opening-day starter last year, joins a rotation that includes newly signed Carlos Silva and holdovers Felix Hernandez, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista.
The departure of Bedard is yet another move to youth by the Orioles under president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail. Shortstop Miguel Tejada, a former AL MVP, was traded to Houston on Dec. 12.
Baltimore had failed to reach an agreement on a contract extension with Bedard, who can become a free agent after the 2009 season. He went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA last season and set a franchise record with 221 strikeouts. Opponents batted .212 against Bedard, including an AL-low .196 on the road.
The 28-year-old Bedard ranked among the AL leaders in several pitching categories before a rib injury ended his season in late August. He was leading the league in strikeouts at the time and, although he finished third, his average of 10.93 strikeouts per nine innings was tops in the AL and an Orioles record.
Jones, 22, was Seattle’s top pick in the 2003 amateur draft. He batted .246 in 41 games with the Mariners last season and hit .314 with 25 home runs and 84 RBIs for Triple-A Tacoma. He began his career in 2006 with an 0-for-12 drought that ended in Baltimore on July 18, when he got his first major league hit.
Sherrill went 2-0 with a 2.36 ERA and three saves in seven opportunities in 2007. He will probably be given a look as the closer for Chris Ray, expected to miss the season after elbow ligament replacement surgery on Aug. 16.
Tillman, 19, was Seattle’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2007. Neither Tillman, Butler or Mickolio were on the Mariners’ 40-man roster.
Mariners deal for Bedard on hold
Monday, January 28th, 2008The Mariners’ quest to land Orioles lefty Erik Bedard is on hold — and possibly off — due to the involvement of O’s owner Peter Angelos, according to major-league sources. The reasons for Angelos’ hesitation are unclear. However, Angelos’ first choice is to sign Bedard to a contract extension, according to one source. The owner was under the impression that Bedard was unwilling to consider such a deal, the source says, but recently learned that the pitcher would entertain an offer if the Orioles were willing to extend him at least five years.
The trade amounts to a litmus test for the authority of Andy MacPhail, the Orioles president of baseball operations, who was hired last summer with the understanding that he would operate with autonomy over baseball operations.
Angelos has a history of interfering with his front office over personnel moves. His involvement has caused tension with several prior general managers.
The Orioles’ trade of Bedard would signal a major reconstruction. Another significant deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts likely would follow. The Cubs remain heavily interested in Roberts, and the Orioles could receive prospects such as pitcher Sean Gallagher and outfielder Felix Pie or veterans such as RHP Jason Marquis and outfielder Matt Murton.
M’s call Jones home, deal for Bedard may be close
Sunday, January 27th, 2008The Mariners have asked prized outfield prospect Adam Jones to return to the U.S. from winter ball in Venezuela, major-league sources say, in the strongest indication yet that a deal for Orioles left-hander Erik Bedard is getting close. Jones is the centerpiece of the Mariners’ offer for Bedard, and the team would not want him to risk injury by continuing to play if the trade was imminent. Jones’ Venezuelan Winter League team is currently in the playoffs.
According to the The Seattle Times, Jones is headed to Baltimore for a physical. Seattle’s offer is also expected to include left-handed reliever George Sherrill, minor league righty Chris Tillman and one or two other prospects.
Jones was called up by the Mariners last August. He hit .246 with two home runs in 65 at-bats. He’s expected to compete for a starting job in Seattle’s outfield this spring.
The Orioles’ trade of Bedard would signal a major reconstruction. Another significant deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts likely would follow. The Cubs remain heavily interested in Roberts, and the Orioles could receive prospects such as pitcher Sean Gallagher and outfielder Felix Pie or veterans such as RHP Jason Marquis and outfielder Matt Murton.
Earlier this offseason, the Orioles traded shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Astros for five younger players.
Bedard to Mariners getting closer
Thursday, January 10th, 2008Bedard: A trade between the Orioles and Mariners is only one player away from completion, major-league sources say, but that one player could be right-hander Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old that the M’s would prefer to retain.
Outfielder Adam Jones would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Orioles, and left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel are among the other players under discussion.
The Mariners also have inquired about A’s right-hander Joe Blanton, but the A’s would insist upon Jones and the Mariners might not be willing to trade their top position prospect within the division.
Mariners, Reds still interested in O’s Bedard
Tuesday, January 8th, 2008The Mariners are continuing their aggressive pursuit of Bedard, major-league sources say, and there are growing indications that the teams could be moving closer to a deal.
The Reds also remain interested in Bedard, but the Mariners are willing to trade their top outfield prospect, Adam Jones, while the Reds will not part with their best minor-league outfielder, Jay Bruce.
For the Orioles, the final approval for a Bedard deal would rest with owner Peter Angelos, who has long resisted trading veterans for prospects but hired MacPhail last June with the understanding that the team needed a new direction.
But Bedard, a homegrown product, has greater sentimental value for the Orioles than Tejada — and trading him likely would lead to a separate deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts, an Angelos favorite.
Without Bedard, who went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA last season and set a franchise record with 221 strikeouts, there would be little reason for the Orioles to keep Roberts, who also is two years away from free agency.
The Cubs remain the most likely fit for Roberts. The Mets made a strong run at Bedard at the general managers’ meetings in November. The Indians, who have explored trades for impact players all off-season, like both Roberts and Bedard.
Perhaps the Indians could land one of the Orioles’ stars, but it is highly unlikely that they could put together a blockbuster to obtain both, the way the Tigers did in acquiring third baseman Miguel Cabrera and left-hander Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins.
Mariners GM Bill Bavasi has said it is unlikely that he will trade his top pitching prospect, right-hander Brandon Morrow. But even if the M’s decline to part with Morrow, they can put together an attractive package for Bedard.
Jones, compared by some scouts to Torii Hunter, would become the Orioles’ long-term answer in center field, developing alongside right fielder Nick Markakis.
The Mariners also are willing to include catcher Jeff Clement and third baseman Matt Tuiasosopo, sources say. The Orioles, however, might prefer a choice of left-hander Tony Butler, right-hander Chris Tillman and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel.