Erik Bedard To Cubs?

If the Cubs are willing to risk a contract on Ben Sheets why not look at Erik Bedard too?

It’s a big risk, no doubt, with Bedard coming off back-to-back seasons shortened by shoulder surgeries, but no more of a gamble than signing the former Milwaukee ace, either.

Tim Kurkjian pointed out on Baseball Tonight that Bedard is more likely to sign a one-year incentive laden deal than Sheets.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports lists Bedard as the eighth-best free agent this offseason, and with the top-seven free agents on Passan’s list already signed, the 30-year-old left-hander remains the highest F.A. still available.

Transitioning from the American League to the National League is in a pitcher’s favor, and Bedard is 10-games above .500 during his six years starting in Baltimore and Seattle.

It’s likely the Cubs would be subject to coddling Bedard similar to Rich Harden, but it could be a risk worth taking — if just for a year.

At the very least, it beats running/rolling Carlos Silva to the mound every fifth day, right?