Recent reports circulating the rumor mill are that the NY Mets are currently the front-runners to acquire Johan Santana from the Minnesota Twins.
With the Yankees' proposal apparently almost completely off the table (again), and the Red Sox refusing to budge on the offers they proposed months ago, the Twins are starting to reconsider the "other" New York team's bid.
A trade for Santana would cost the Mets one of their prized CF prospects, Fernando Martinez or Carlos Gomez, pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra, as well as at least $120 million for an extension after Santana's contract is up after the 2008 season. Before the Mets pull the trigger on a potential deal to bring the game's best pitcher to Flushing, they must reconsider the other left-handed ace currently on the trading block: Erik Bedard.
Today's Must Reads
The Orioles southpaw went 13-5 with 221 strikeouts in 2007, despite pitching for a team that finished 24 games under .500. He also managed to finish fifth in AL Cy Young voting.
With two year's left on his contract, the Mets wouldn't be forced to offer Bedard a new deal until after the 2009 season, at which point expensive veterans like Carlos Delgado, Orlando Hernandez, and Pedro Martinez will likely be off the payroll.
It appears that the Orioles are refusing to deal Bedard within their division, meaning the Yankees and Red Sox aren't able to enter the bidding war and drive up his value. Based on all reports I've read, the price for Bedard seems to be very similar to that of Santana, minus the necessary long-term extension.
Omar Minaya needs to subdue his itching for Santana and consider being wise with how he spends the Wilpon's money. Bedard has established himself as one of the most dominant left-handed pitchers in baseball over the past two seasons. Uniting him with pitching guru Rick Peterson in NY would only make him that much better.
Peterson turned left-hander Oliver Perez, who was a combined 3-13 in 2006 pitching for the Pirates and Mets, into a 15 game winner in just one year. Imagine what he could do with a pitcher like Bedard who set the Orioles franchise record for strikeouts this past season.
Johan Santana in a Mets uniform is definitely an enticing possibility, but Erik Bedard seems to be the more logical choice for NY.
comments (12) write a comment »
write a new comment
7 months ago
The Mets already offered a proposal to the O's which they rejected. The Mets offer was below the Mariners and Reds offers.
If the Mets are unwilling to part with their top two outfield prospects as well as others for Santana are they ready to do that for Bedard since the O's have already rejected their first offer of just Gomez, Humber, Pelfrey, and someone else I can't remember.
The Mariners/Reds are offering packages centered around some of the best prospects in baseball. If the Mets can't even begin to think along these lines than its a pointless discussion.
Bedard had the Cy Young won prior to his late season oblique strain. He pitches in the AL East which isn't the same creampuff division the AL Central is. Bedard is becoming a better pitcher than Santana and he's alot cheaper.
7 months ago
O's won't deal with Omar because of how they got burned on the Anna Benson trade. Do your homework before writing a halfwit column.
from 7 months ago
where do you get this information? The charge of "halfwit" should be substantiated.
7 months ago
I agree with the sentiment that Bedard is the better buy, see my article from a month ago, on the very subject.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/4419-MLB-Lefty_Shopping_Why_Erik_Bedard_Is_a_Better_Buy_Than_Johan_Santana-041207
7 months ago
There is only so much high ground in baseball when it comes to salaries. The Mets are it, because the Yankees, Red Sox and Angels have all spent way too much already. Those teams are also not willing to empty their trading chests while strapping themselves with another huge veteran contract.
The Mets should wait it out
7 months ago
You know that the picture associated with this article is Danys Baez and NOT Erik Bedard, right? You do know that Bedard is a left?
from 7 months ago
I didn't put the picture there. I left it pictureless. I know who Eric Bedard is.
from 7 months ago
Sorry about that, I was looking at the wrong response, the same thing happened to an article I wrote about Bedard.
from 7 months ago
Picture has been fixed. -DN
7 months ago
Your so called "creampuff" divsion has a team in the ALCS 4 of the last 6 years, and 2 of the last 3 years in the World Series. Get your facts straight before you talk again.
7 months ago
I forgot how formidable those lineups are (minus Detroit this upcoming year) in the "Creampuff" AL Central. Look at the lineups of the Red Sox and Yankees vs those in the top teams in the AL Central. Johan was pitching to National League Lineups while Bedard was pitching against All Star Teams. The AL Central wins on strong pitching, not hitting. Although the Tigers lineup is downright scary this year.
And what fact was I incorrect about...are you disputing that the Orioles have turned down the offer the Mets presented at the Nashville meetings and than presented again? That's pretty well known.
7 months ago
The Yankee's aren't done with the Twins. They have opened the door...again.
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-2/1200375307167930.xml&coll=1
write a new comment