Bedard To Mariners Complete

Geoff Baker at The Seattle Times writes about the trade that has sent Erik Bedard to the Mariners:

The deal for Erik Bedard is finally official. It's the 5-for-1 that's been reported: Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Cam Mickolio and Tony Butler. I'll be at the Safeco Field newser in a couple of hours.

Thanks to Mets Blog for the link.

Bedard Trade: Pending Physical

Jeff Zrebiec at The Baltimore Sun writes about the impending trade to send Erik Bedard to the Mariners:

The Orioles and Seattle Mariners have agreed to the framework of a deal that would send Bedard to the Mariners for five players, including young outfielder Adam Jones, according to two league sources.

However, the deal is not official until all of the primary players involved take and pass physicals. Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill, two of the centerpieces of the Mariners' package, were in Baltimore yesterday to take their physicals, according to sources. The Orioles are known for requiring extensive physicals, and it's common for team officials to not get the complete results until a day after the examinations.

Comparing Maine To Bedard

Ted Berg at SNY gives a comparison of Erik Bedard in 2006, John Maine in 2007 and posts the question, "Is John Maine like Erik Bedard"?:

John Maine could also be the ace the Mets are searching for. After all, as a 26-year-old in 2007, Maine won 15 games with a 3.91 ERA and an impressive 180 strikeouts in 191 innings. With the increased stamina, control and wisdom that come from a year of Major League experience, Maine can be expected to improve in 2008. It's impossible to predict by how much, but his 2007 was very similar to a recent effort of another young pitcher from the Orioles system, Bedard. In 2006, the left-handed Bedard won 15 games with a 3.76 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 196 1/3 innings. It's hard to expect Maine to improve in 2008 the way Bedard did in 2007, but it's not out of the question. With his high strikeout rate and proven ability to come up big when the Mets need him most, Maine could in 2008 earn the All-Star nomination he deserved in 2007.

Seattle and Bedard

Jason A. Churchill at Prospect Insider writes about the Mariners and their pursuit of Eric Bedard:

I have it on pretty good authority that the Seattle Mariners and Baltimore Orioles may very well be making significant progress on a trade involving left-hander Erik Bedard.

Unfortunately, if you are an M’s fan, the word is that the Mariners may agree to include Carlos Triunfel in a deal along with Adam Jones, and perhaps one other player (George Sherrill, most likely), due to their stance on trading Brandon Morrow.

With Regards To Erik Bedard

Over at Hot Stove New York they write about the Mets, Erik Bedard and what the Mets are said to be offering:

Today’s Post is reporting the Mets are still in pursuit of Erik Bedard. Most likely they’ll offer a deal centered around outfielder Carlos Gomez. Various rumors have mentioned Aaron Heilman, Ryan Church, Mike Pelfrey, Joe Smith and Philip Humber as names that also could be included.

Omar To Meet With O's

At the Oriole Insider they write about the meeting that has been set up between the Orioles and Mets regarding Erik Bedard:

Orioles team president Andy MacPhail says he expects to meet with Mets GM Omar Minaya about left-hander Erik Bedard, 1050 ESPN New York’s Andrew Marchand reports. “When you have had the kind of seasons that we have had, I don’t see how you can not listen,” MacPhail said. “We have to listen.”

This may be a good thing… Bedard may be the most marketable guy on the team. We have to start somewhere and build. I guess here is as good as any.

Bedard Doesn't Want To Be An Oriole

At Rotoworld they write about Eric Bedard and him not wanting to remain withthe Orioles:

The Washington Post reports that Erik Bedard has informed the Orioles he has no interest in signing an extension to stay in Baltimore.

It's hard to blame Bedard for not wanting to commit to an organization that's been run so poorly for so long, though there is the potential for things to turn around now with Andy MacPhail in control. If Bedard is taking this kind of stance, the Orioles might as well trade him now. The Mets and Dodgers have engaged in serious talks with the club, and the loser of the Johan Santana sweepstakes also figures to get involved.

Omar Made A Run At Bedard

At Rotoworld they write about Omar Minaya and his push for Erik Bedard:

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal says the Mets made a strong run at Erik Bedard at the general managers' meetings, but Baltimore wasn't yet ready to deal the left-hander.

The Orioles supposedly want to see about signing Bedard to a long-term deal before they consider trading him, though if they've made him an offer, they've kept it quiet. The Mets probably offered either Lastings Milledge or Carlos Gomez, plus young pitching. The Dodgers are also very interested in Bedard.

What Would It Take?: Take Two

As I alluded to yesterday, I would love to have Erik Bedard and Ramon Hernandez on the Mets and with yesterday’s magician act by Omar Minaya to obtain Johnny Estrada from the Brewers for Guillermo Mota, of all people, it further enhances the capability of such a trade getting pushed through.

From yesterday’s post:

Erik Bedard is the acting Ace of the Orioles staff and isn’t arbitrational eligible until after the 2008 season. He finished the 2007 season with a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA and 221 strike outs. The biggest question for the Mets is how to fill the void of innings pitched, when Tom Glavine left, and if you’re thinking that Bedard is the answer, you are mistaken. He had pitched only 182 innings last season. So the Mets are still going to have to spend money on a Livan Hernandez or Carlos Silva type of pitcher.

Ramon Hernandez is only 31 and under contract for the next two seasons when he will be 33. A favorite in the Mets pursuit of the off-season after the 2005 season, Hernandez waited too long to reply to Omar’s offer (Like Bengie Molina) and settled with the Orioles. Molina is a career .263 hitter, so his 2007 batting average of .258 was a tad under par. But his 9 home runs were way under his normal production. In 2006 he rang up 23 long balls (’05 – 12 & ’04 – 18) and after an injury year, the Mets should be able to swing him away from the Orioles with minimal damage to their farm system.

David Rubin and I were discussing the possible trade ideas and he came up with a gem of one. This deal appears to be well beyond the capability of getting completed. Here you go:

So the new deal would include Carlos Gomez, Aaron Heilman, Philip Humber and Johnny Estrada for Erik Bedard and Ramon Hernandez.

To view yesterday’s post use this link (What Would it Take?).

What Would It Take?

The burning question running through Metsville is where they are going to get top pitching, a good starting catcher and how much is it going to cost the Farm System.

The latest rumor is that the Orioles are prepared to shop Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard, but at what cost.

Erik Bedard is the acting Ace of the Orioles staff and isn’t arbitrational eligible until after the 2008 season. He finished the 2007 season with a 13-5 record, 3.16 ERA and 221 strike outs. The biggest question for the Mets is how to fill the void of innings pitched, when Tom Glavine left, and if you’re thinking that Bedard is the answer, you are mistaken. He had pitched only 182 innings last season. So the Mets are still going to have to spend money on a Livan Hernandez or Carlos Silva type of pitcher.

Ramon Hernandez is only 31 and under contract for the next two seasons when he will be 33. A favorite in the Mets pursuit of the off-season after the 2005 season, Hernandez waited too long to reply to Omar’s offer (Like Bengie Molina) and settled with the Orioles. Molina is a career .263 hitter, so his 2007 batting average of .258 was a tad under par. But his 9 home runs were way under his normal production. In 2006 he rang up 23 long balls (’05 – 12 & ’04 – 18) and after an injury year, the Mets should be able to swing him away from the Orioles with minimal damage to their farm system.

So, if a deal were to go down with these two teams, I feel it would resemble something to this effect:

Orioles give: Erik Bedard & Ramon Hernandez
Mets give: Aaron Heilman, Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Joe Smith, Ruben Gotay and Lastings Milledge (or Carlos Gomez)

That’s an awful lot, but that’s what it’s going to have to be in order to pull off a deal of this magnitude.

Bedard and Hernandez?

(Brought to you by Mets Prospects)

The Mets need two things right now; starting pitching and a catcher. In order to accomplish both I have feel the best possible option is via trade. The trade would be as followed: the Orioles would give the New York Mets Ramon Hernandez and Erik Bedard. The Mets would have to part with Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Mike Pelfrey, Kevin Mulvey and or Phillip Humber, Mike Carp and (maybe Ruben Gotay). If this trade works the Mets have an ace in Bedard who is under contract until 2009 and a catcher in Ramon Hernandez who pitching Coach Rick Peterson already knows can get the job done. This trade could be the thing to turn the Mets in World Series Champions and maybe even a dynasty.

To find out read my full reason why this will be a good trade and check up on the Mets prospects vist Mets Prospects.