As any remaining O's fan must know, the Orioles appear to be on the cusp of trading Erik Bedard to Seattle for a packaged headlined by Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, and George Sherrill.
It appears that the hold-up, legitimate or not, is coming for the Orioles end. There are so many reasons to jump on this deal that it's driving me crazy:
1. As great a pitcher as Bedard is developing into, he's in his late 20's and has never thrown 200 innings in a season.
2. He's about to get really expensive (in a non Johan kind of way); his agent is throwing around seven years, $ 100 million.
With that out of the way, I think it's fair to assume that Bedard is not signing a long term extension with the O's. He wants to be paid for his talent; the team wants to pay for his (limited) production.
With that said, let's look at the Orioles situation:
1. Unless you're into lying to yourself, the Orioles have no chance at making the playoffs in 2008. Nick Markakis may be the only everyday player who could start for the Yankees, and they might not even be the best team in the division.
2. Even if Bedard throws 250 innings with a 1.00 ERA, they STILL WON'T MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
So if we can't sign him long term and we can't win with him, why not make a move that could help us contend in the future?
Andy McPhail seems like a bright guy; if he thinks this is the best we can do for Bedard (note to Angelos, the Reds aren’t dealing Jay Bruce), than it's time to make the move. Let's all hope Peter Angelos finally accepts the fact that there's no prize for finishing fourth in the AL East.
If they Orioles want to do what's best for the franchise, they need to be fully committed to rebuilding.
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8 months ago
I agree, seems like they don't want to admit that they have screwed up and have to completely start over. They need quantity right now over a couple quality players. Bedard is as high as his value may ever get now, do the trade before you decide to shell out millions and he would get hurt. That would seem to be the O's luck. Brian Roberts deal seems to be hinged on this Bedard deal. Why can't they go ahead with that either? Like you said, they are not going to win this year. Heck, they probably will finish last for the next 2-3 years. GET PROSPECTS and try to build within.
8 months ago
Why do you continue to use a picture of Danys Baez when reporting on Erik Bedard?
from 8 months ago
ur an idiot, thats not danny baez!
8 months ago
I think the Mariners are getting ripped off. But there aren't any other pitchers out there for the M's. So, I guess this is the best we can do to give us a chance against the Angels.
from 8 months ago
What specifically is it that makes you think you're getting the raw end of this deal? Just curious. I'm an O's fan and I am excited about an outfield with Jones and Markakis, but not sure about the rest.
8 months ago
That picture is NOT Erik Bedard. THis is at least the 2nd time you've not used the picture of the player you are talking about. It's a pretty amateur mistake.
from 8 months ago
I am an amateur, but don't flame me on the pictures. They're either added in by the editors, or done automatically based on the "filed under links". I have no idea why Danys "I can't believe the Orioles thought this guy was worth 6 mil a year" Baez got his picture on the article.
8 months ago
I agree, Bedard won't help the O's win a title now, and he won't be around for the next time the O's do contend.
Good thoughts.
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