Finally Official: Erik Bedard to the Mariners

After weeks of speculation, and a feeling that this may drag on like the Johan Santana sweepstakes, Erik Bedard has officially been traded to the Seattle Mariners for five players, according to the Baltimore Orioles' website.  

In return for the ace left-hander, the Orioles will receive young outfielder Adam Jones, lefty relief pitcher George Sherrill, and three Minor-League pitching prospects.

Widely considered to be the cornerstone of any deal for Erik Bedard, Jones should be expected to spend some time in Camden Yards, perhaps at the start of the season.

The five-tool talent has managed to garner comparisons to Torii Hunter, the All-Star centerfielder for the Angels.

The combination of Jones and Nick Markakis could make up two-thirds of an extremely potent Oriole outfield, well into the next decade.

While the starting rotation takes a huge hit with the loss of Bedard, the bullpen looks a bit better, but far from complete or formidable.

Sherrill notched three saves in seven tries, but managed to post a 2.36 ERA.

However, with the state of the Orioles' rotation, the need for a quality closer is of modest concern.

With their stud now in Seattle, the Opening-Day starter projects to be either Jeremy Guthrie, Daniel Cabrera, or Adam Loewen, three underwhelming choices. 

Of the prospects received in the deal, Chris Tillman may be the most noteworthy.

Fresh off a year in which he was named the Seattle's pitcher of the year, the 19-year-old should strengthen the Orioles' Minor-League system.

From California, the 6-foot-5 right-hander split time at A and High-A ball. In over 100 innings at the High-A California League, he struck out 105 batters.

While some might be concerned that his ERA was a bit high at 5.26, that was probably a result of being one of the younger players in the league, the average age of his teammates was 22.

It is sad to say so long to one of the few bright spots from last year's team.

However, this deal needed to be done.

With or without Bedard, the Orioles would have been fighting to stay out of the AL East cellar.

Hopefully, this deal will push them toward the roof in a couple of years.