Bedard Deal Finally Done

According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, Erik Bedard will finally make his way to Seattle to pass a physical and put an end to another grueling trade. The return for Bedard is expected to be Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio, and Tony Butler.

By including Jones [a top 10 prospect in baseball] and Tillman [a top five prospect in their farm system] the Mariners certainly gave up enough to acquire Bedard. However, waiting the Orioles out a bit allowed the M's to lessen the demand. In doing so, Seattle was able to remove top shortstop prospect Carlos Triunfel and powerhitting outfielder Wladimir Balentien from their package.

According to the report, the deal is believed to be announced on Friday.

Bedard Deal Only Needs A Bow

Erik Bedard will be a member of the Seattle Mariners come April. According to a Seattle Times report - the same writer who first reported an imminent deal over a week ago - both Adam Jones and George Sherrill have in fact traveled to Baltimore for their requisite physical exams. The post also confirms pitching prospect Chris Tillman will be a part of Seattle's package.

The deal may not be announced tomorrow, though it appears to be done now.

Mariners, Bedard Inch Closer

Considering the biblical nature of the Johan Santana trade talks, the Erik Bedard saga is making its way as a close second this offseason. However, a deal is reportedly inching forward and could be completed very soon. According to the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, "Mariners outfielder Adam Jones traveled to Baltimore on Sunday, presumably to undergo a physical."

From the article:

A clean bill of health would be the last hurdle standing between the Mariners and Orioles and one of the most significant trades in franchise history.

The Mariners would get left-handed starting pitcher Erik Bedard in exchange for five players, highlighted by Jones and left-handed reliever George Sherrill. The Mariners also would send three minor league pitchers to the Orioles to complete the deal.

Bedard would give the Mariners a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher to complement burgeoning star Felix Hernandez. Bedard was 13-5 and struck out 221 batters in 182 innings last season, losing a month because of an oblique injury.

With the additions of Bedard and free-agent signee Carlos Silva, the Mariners will have replaced the bottom end of their rotation, Jeff Weaver and Horacio Ramirez, presumably giving them deeper and much stronger starting pitching.

Friday Linx: Santana, Bedard, & Joba

· The Johan Santana contract is expected to be completed by the 5:00 pm deadline. The NY Post says Santana is looking for a contract of at least $150 million and the sticking point seems to be whether or not the final year is guaranteed. The negotiations could come right down to the wire, but it should get done.

· Similarly, the Baltimore Sun reports the Erik Bedard story should be wrapped up "soon." Both the Mariners and Orioles believe a resolution will come within the next couple days; which does not rule out Bedard staying in Baltimore. Supposedly, as was rumored yesterday, the hold up is linked to procedural red tape involving physical exams.

· In the wake of the Santana sweepstakes, RLYW examines the top twenty offensive seasons in Yankee history.

· The Minor League Baseball site released its list of the top 50 prospects who are rookie eligible in 2008. Not surprisingly, Joba Chamberlain and Clay Buchholz are in the top ten. However, Clayton Kershaw, who has yet to throw a major league pitch, and probably will not until a September call-up or not at all until 2009, is ranked above both AL East pitching phenoms.

I understand there is a consensus from scouts that Kershaw is an uber prospect and lefthanded, but it seems inaccurate to rank a pitcher never above AA over two prospects who flew through the minors before flashing dominance at the big league level. Ian Kennedy came in at #26 and Austin Jackson #49.

· Nolan Ryan is considering a job with the Texas Rangers and no, it does not require putting Robin Ventura in a headlock.

The Story Of Adam Jones & His Hip

This is the story of Adam Jones and his hip-bone. The tale is told in sequential order. We begin with the whispers of a completed blockbuster trade between two American League teams . . .

1/27/08 - The Sojo Says So

· The Seattle Times reports that an Erik Bedard deal which would send the lefty to Safeco Field is all but completed. It is believed the Orioles will receive Seattle Mariners star outfield prospect Adam Jones as well as a package of top prospects in return. The Baltimore Sun disagrees, reporting no deal has been finalized.

· Jones and his winter ball manager and Yankee icon Luis Sojo are quoted as saying Jones is destined for Baltimore to take a physical which would complete the trade for Bedard. The Orioles of course deny the claim, and the plot thickens.

1/28/08 - A Done Deal Undone?

· ESPN reports Orioles Owner and resident jackass Peter Angelos has yet to sign off on a proposed Bedard deal. Somewhere in Venezuela, Mr. Jones is wondering what the hell is going on.

· Despite being reported by ESPN, Mariners reliever George Sherrill denies being informed to take a physical in conjunction with a Bedard deal. Somewhere else, Adam Jones continues wondering.

1/29/08 - Jones' Hip Loses Some Hop

· Ken Rosenthal reports Angelos may be so upset about Jones confirming an imminent Bedard deal that the Orioles may decide to kill the deal altogether. The collective baseball universe rolls its eyes, snickers and mutters under stale breath "Good ol' Angelos."

· 12 hours later, a reporter from the Baltimore Sun contends during a sports radio program that Adam Jones has a degenerative hip condition which is the real reason behind the Bedard deal's sudden halt. Somewhere Jones' physician laughs. General Manager Bill Bavasi explains "All I can tell you is that we brought Adam Jones home from Venezuela."

1/30/08 - Let The Baby Have His Bottle

· 24 hours later The Seattle Times reports both the Orioles and Mariners are laughing off yesterday's report of a supposed Adam Jones hip condition killing the trade. The report's author believes the deal will still get done, explaining it would have moved forward had Angelos not been upset by Jones leaking the trade news. Angelos then cried "Goo Goo, Gaa Gaa," only quieting once he was handed his pacifier and blanky.

· Adam Jones struggles to understand how a toddler came to own the Orioles franchise.

· The Baltimore Sun reports the Bedard talks "are alive" but also suggests "other teams remain in the mix."

1/31/08 - Vengeance & Vidro

· Adam Jones, frustrated by a week of confusion and billionaire temper-tantrums decides to retire from baseball at the age of 22. Jones decides to pursue a career in the sports agent field. A few years later Jones exacts revenge, convincing Peter Angelos to trade Nick Markakis to the Mariners for Jose Vidro's Levitra supply.

[editor's note: this prediction in no way represents Adam Jones or any other coherant human- being]

Angelos May Kill Bedard Deal

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles - meaning owner Peter Angelos - may be so upset by Adam Jones' remarks (that he was part of a trade to Baltimore) that the O's could call off a potential Erik Bedard to Seattle deal, or ask for additional compensation. What is this, the dodgeball court and the fat kid complaining about getting hit in the face?

From Rotoworld:

FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal believes the Orioles may be upset enough about Adam Jones' comments on the deal to call off the Erik Bedard trade or at least seek additional compensation.

Yeah, there's good reason the Orioles remain in the running for the title of worst run organization in baseball. Either the deal is good enough or it isn't. Who cares if Jones admitted 12 hours ahead of time that he was going to Baltimore for a physical?

If Peter Angelos kills the deal as is -- it's believed to currently be a five-for-one including Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Adam Butler and Kam Mickolio -- the Mariners should simply move on. Rosenthal believes the Orioles may now be holding out for Carlos Triunfel, who should be untouchable.

Absolutely mindboggling. If Angelos were given Sandy Koufax in return for Bedard, he'd complain about the way he wore his hat. And then kill the deal. Poor Orioles fans must be hiding their heads in their hands over this one. And they should be. It's rare such a great legion of fans becomes so betrayed by its ownership.

Report: Bedard Is Seattle Bound

Mariners Blog via the Seattle Times reports Erik Bedard has been traded to the Mariners for a package built around star outfield prospect Adam Jones. From the article:

Adam Jones has left his Venezuelan Winter League team and flies to Baltimore tomorrow morning to take a physical so he can be dealt to the Orioles in exchange for pitcher Erik Berdard. No word yet on how many players going Baltimore's way.

Jones did not mince words when he spoke to a reporter from Diario Panorama in Venezuela today. We have a relationship with the reporter and paper and they have graciously supplied us with quotes from the interview with Jones.

"I received a call from Seattle saying that is no more playing for me and I can't do anything about that,'' Jones said. "I leave tomorrow morning..."

"(Bill Bavasi) called me yesterday and told me the news. I've got to go to Baltimore tomorrow morning and handle things there. I'm the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners side. It's an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard is. He's one of the best. Last year he finished up as arguably one of the top candidates for the Cy Young. He's that good, so for me it's an honor. You know, I like Seattle, but if I am in Baltimore, as I think now I am, I'm going to embrace it and have the best time of my life in Major League Baseball."

Jones sounds like a good kid off the field, to go along with his all star caliber talent on the field. The article also mentioned George Sherrill, Seattle's talented lefthanded reliever. Sherrill also comes off well, though he has yet to be informed if he is involved in any potential deal.

Checklist:

Bedard out of AL East

Santana to the NL

Hughes, Joba & Co. open new stadium

Click A Link

· Bryan Hoch, excellent source of info at Yankees.com, has a little piece on Phil Hughes and his new weblog. All joking aside, the blog is a pretty unique connection between a rising professional athlete and his growing posse of adoring fans.

· Bartolo Colon, who is attempting to raise his free agent dollars by pitching in the Dominican, is not looking good, according to The Rocky Mountain News.

· The Rocky Mountain News also reports that Livian Hernandez is close to a deal with the Mets, securing a family reunion with brother, Orlando. One's fat, the other is skinny. One's a workhorse, the other prone to injury.

· Here are three links to rumors from Seattle newspapers reporting the Mariners are making a final push for Erik Bedard.

· Some old news written today, as the Post writes "Cano Cashing In," while the Times has Robinson "Near A 4-Year Deal."

· A list of links would not be complete without at least one reference to Johan Santana. FakeTeams writes the Twins want to move Santana within the next 21 days. So Minnesota wants to solve the situation before P&C report? Shocking.

Report: Bedard Megadeal In Works

According to Phil Rogers via Rotoworld:

Despite GM Jim Hendry's protestations, the Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers says the Cubs and Orioles are talking about a massive deal involving Erik Bedard and Brian Roberts.

According to Rogers' very highly placed source, Orioles owner Peter Angelos did shoot the deal down at the end of last week, but talks were back on again recently. Rogers believes the Cubs could send Felix Pie to Baltimore and bring in Marlon Byrd to replace him.

Source: Chicago Tribune.

Hughes Has A Blog,Sanchez Calls It A Comeback

· Apparently, Phil Hughes started his own weblog. It will be interesting to see a young star's take on life in Major League Baseball; though most fans are more excited by the prospect of Phil-er-up remaining a Yankee for the next 15 years or so. It'll probably be like 38Pitches . . . but without the pretentious, annoying, egocentric tone.

And, as if Phil could escape his inextricable link to Johan Santana, here is the latest Hank Steinbrenner spiel. This one comes from Minneapolis and has the new Boss reiterating that he makes the final decision. Somewhere Hal Steinbrenner is chuckling to himself, "Keep telling yourself that, Hanky."

· Here is a good piece on Humberto Sanchez and his recovery from TJ surgery. He is also trying to prove wrong the countless critics who believe Sanchez will never live up to his potential due to conditioning and health shortcomings.

From MiLB.com:

"My goal is just to be 100 percent by the end of April, a year out from the surgery," he said. "My dream goal would be to be in New York by the All-Star break, but a lot of things come into it -- if they need someone there [and] my performance at that point."

With Yankee Stadium entering its final year, there is more incentive than ever for Sanchez to complete his rehab and make it to the big leagues this season.

"Oh, it's definitely been on my mind," he said. "Especially [after] getting married and having a baby. I'd like to have Jennifer come to a game at the old Yankee Stadium; she's never been there before. And my baby. And my family."

As a lifelong Yankees fan and Bronx native, Humberto has all the motivation in the world to prove himself to be the dominant pitching prospect he's been touted as for the past three years.

· Buster Olney believes the Mets, Yankees, Red Sox and Twins should all pass on a Santana trade before the regular season... and revisit a potential deal as the trading deadline approaches. From ESPN:

If you've ever watched the show "Deal Or No Deal," you kind of get an idea of the situation Minnesota general manager Bill Smith is in, as he decides when to swap Johan Santana.

The million-dollar deal is off the table. It's not happening. Quite simply, Smith is not going to get a deal as good as the deal that Oakland got for Dan Haren. Because Santana is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season, neither the Red Sox nor the Yankees is willing to give up the boatload of young players that Smith really wanted for the two-time Cy Young Award winner, while paying Santana a $125-$150 million extension.

So if you are Smith, what do you do? Do you take a subpar deal? Or do you simply go to spring training and prepare to start the season with Santana?

If I was in Smith's shoes, I'd keep Santana. Because to trade him would be to forgo the opportunity to contend in 2008, when the Twins have a chance to be a good team, with Francisco Liriano returning, with Joe Nathan closing, with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young hitting in the middle of their lineup.

That makes sense to me Busta.

· Erik Bedard to the Mariners is reportedly "one player away," according to Ken Rosenthal. The one player, however, is Chris Tillman, a 19 year-old pitching prospect which Seattle does not intend on parting with.

Report: Mariners Closing In On Bedard

Ken Rosenthal's latest post suggests the Mariners could be closing in on a deal for Erik Bedard centered around outfield uberprospect, Adam Jones.

A trade between the Orioles and Mariners is only one player away from completion, major-league sources say, but that one player could be right-hander Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old that the M's would prefer to retain.

Outfielder Adam Jones would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Orioles, and left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel are among the other players under discussion.

The Mariners also have inquired about A's right-hander Joe Blanton, but the A's would insist upon Jones and the Mariners might not be willing to trade their top position prospect within the division.

After today's trade of Brian Roberts to the Cubs and with Bedard potentially on the move, could this deal be the catalyst which aides in bringing a conclusion to the entire Santana saga?

A new post from Minnesota columnist Joe Christensen suggests the Mets may have the top offer. Nothing new to report - as is the prerequisite for most Santana articles - with Christensen reporting the Mets offer will not bring back Johan unless outfield top prospect Fernando Martinez is included. This has been the snag for the Mets for weeks, as their offer currently on the table is believed to include Humber, Gomez, Mulvey and Guerra.

Rosenthal also reports Mike Cameron - A-Rod's choice in center should Melky be moved - could be on his way to Milwaukee.