Bedard: Back to M's (Part Deux)
The Mariners Web site now has a story claiming that Erik Bedard has agreed to a one-year deal pending a physical, which is pretty much what has been reported by several Seattle and national baseball sites over the past day or so. The thing that makes the M's Web story intriguing is a line that says Bedard is expected to "miss the first three to four months of the season." You can check out that story here.
Interesting. I mentioned in my earlier item and several times on the radio last night that the $1.5 million guarantee seemed low in comparison to the $10 million Ben Sheets got from the A's, and speculated that it might be an indication that the upbeat reports about Bedard's recovery from shoulder surgery were too optimistic. If anybody really thought he would be back in late May, the price figured to be at least a $4 million base. If he's not going to be back until Aug. 1, then $1.5 million sounds about right.
Maybe I still have my baseball reporter instincts.






> 
Comments
Seriously?
'OK CAMPERS, RISE AND SHINE, AND DON'T FORGET YOUR BOTIES, CAUSE IT'S GOING TO BE COOOOOOLD OUT THERE TODAY'
Posted by: wayne | February 5, 2010 9:02 PM
I doubt he will be ready August 1st. He has undergone two left shoulder surgeries within an eleven month period. The second surgery for a labrum tear is very likely to be career ending for Bedard. Recovery from labrum surgery for starting pitchers took an average of eighteen months which would put Bedard out for the entire 2010 season. Among pitchers that did manage to come back from surgery only 30% were pitching three years later (Cerynik, et al,Clin J Sport Med. 2008 May;18(3):255-8). Not signing Bedard was a wise move on the Orioles part. I'd predict that in 2010 Bedard pitches no more than 12 inning (three starts) before he is shut down again.
Posted by: Rusty | February 5, 2010 9:25 PM
Yeah, you've been all over that story. Nobody else had that exact same thought.
Go run a lap around Camden Yards.
Posted by: Sarcasm Alert | February 5, 2010 9:38 PM
O's finished 39 games out in '09.
Posted by: breaking news! | February 5, 2010 9:56 PM
Sounds like a Mark Prior-SD contract.
Posted by: SHAMROCK | February 5, 2010 9:59 PM
a.m. was smart to let prior go!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 5, 2010 10:06 PM
Pete,
You need spring training....... and fast!
I mean look at your blog subjects over the last 'seems like forever'. I mean this team s giving you NOTHING to write about.
What keeps you from beating yourself over the head with a night stick?
Write about the Capitols, the Olympics, the SB...... anything other than ANOTHER story about Mora, Bedard or Sarfate....
No Mas!
Posted by: wayne | February 5, 2010 10:16 PM
I also notice that Mark Hendrickson's physical and signing officially with the O's have taken an entire week already...and has disappeared from any discussion anywhere after I kept reading about the official announcement coming several times this past week. I assume that he was always going to sign again with the O's, because his return was never an urgent matter and still isn't apparently.
Posted by: mpm2010 | February 5, 2010 10:36 PM
Bedard says he'll be back by May or early June. Other reports out of Seattle also say May is a possibility. The info in the MLB.com story might be a bit outdated.
In other words, your baseball reporter instincts suck like your wardrobe.
.............................................................................................
Pete's reply: Thanks for the kind words. That mariners.com update was the latest story, and you only wish you had half my shirt collection.
Posted by: Ben | February 5, 2010 10:37 PM
Haha Wayne,
It's still GroundHog Day!
Posted by: larry | February 5, 2010 11:19 PM
Pete, Who can fault Bedard for wanting to be part of a rotation already anchored by two aces?
In your opinion is Andy MacPhail going to go after another starter now that Bedard's off the board? If so, any idea who might be on his radar?
---------------------------------------
Fearless Super Bowl prediction:
Colts 38 Saints 24
Speaking of the Super Bowl, here's a video of an Indy Star who looks like he's rummaged through your closet when you were away from home. Seriously. Check it out....
http://www.indystar.com/section/videonetwork#/Super+Bowl+XLIV+Preview%3A+Colts+vs.+Saints/64254077001
Posted by: Ken Francis | February 5, 2010 11:34 PM
Pete ... "maybe"? even tho I've been harsh on you in the past,You have still got it baby! Looking forward to yer SPRING REPORTS. go ORIOLES,85 wins in2010 jerks.
Posted by: O's fan in N. Cali | February 5, 2010 11:38 PM
Ken...nice link, but after 15 years in California, I STILL cant get over the Baltimore Colts splitting for indy... SAINTS WIN! & thats who I will be rooting for!!! go RAVENS!
Posted by: O's fan in N.Cali | February 5, 2010 11:57 PM
ahh shucks,
We've been called a jerks before, haven't we? Maybe 2009?
Problem is, like Wayne says, we're always right
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2010 12:03 AM
I love it that wayne is complaining that Pete's blog is stale.
Talk about irony!
Posted by: Tully | February 6, 2010 1:01 AM
Not only have I not forgiven the Colts for leaving in the middle of the night but I have an equal hatred of the Ravens and the Modells for screwing the Cleveland fans just as Indy did to us. Go Saints!
BTW Pete, how about the O's go after Looper again instead of broken down Bedard?
Posted by: steve glick | February 6, 2010 1:07 AM
Hey Tullymun,
Just saying that they give Pete NOTHING to work with. What's the guy suppose to do?
Poor guy has to write about one of the most miserable teams in all of sports, year after year after year.......
I just want him to get down to sota so he can at least get some sun. I'm worried that the combo of 2 feet of snow and having to report on this team may be too much for anyone to handle..
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 1:37 AM
Good Lord, wayne, give it a rest! And why are you up so late? I looked into this blog and there you were, negative as ever.
I could say the combination of sub freezing weather and the late hours have severely compromised your thinking, but you've always been that way.
What kind of news do you expect the team to make right now? Except for the odd signing or drug suspension, no team is making news. Pete could write about the Caribbean Series going on now, but with that stupid football game tomorrow, who would be paying attention?
Spring training opens in a couple of weeks, I suspect Pete will have something to say about that.
BTW, wayne, in an earlier post, you spelled Capitals wrong.
Speaking of the Caps, their GM, George McPhee, said in a story today that when putting his team together, he was looking for long term success, not just one year. Kind of reminds me of what the Orioles GM is trying to do. But I guess even if you were a Caps fan, you would still find something negative to say.
Posted by: ken | February 6, 2010 2:02 AM
ken,
I'll agree with you on one point...... no, make that two.
1) Ya, I did spell Capitals wrong, and
2) time to slip into my igloo and call it a night.
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 2:19 AM
I'm sorry, I must be missing where so many other teams are making moves right now that give their writers something new to talk about.
Pete's not the only one with nothing new to talk about, but it doesn't stop you guys from repeating yourself either.
Does it have to be every single day where it's just childish snide comments all the time?
Posted by: James C | February 6, 2010 2:27 AM
Has there been any talk of signing Jarrod Washburn>? he would be a reclaimation. but It's not like we haven't done that before.
Posted by: will a | February 6, 2010 2:30 AM
EB would've been a nice pickup, but his base salary does seem low if he is able to pitch in May, but I am sure this isn't the last we hear about Bedard.
The guy I would like to see the O's take a shot at is Braden Looper. He was awful last year, but prior to that 09 season, he's been a good pitcher. The fact he started his career as a reliever would help him because they could use him out of the pen and in spot duty. I don't see many options at AAA that will pitch in the starting rotation this year so if someone goes down and it always happen to every team, the O's would at least have two guys in Looper and Hendrickson who could fill the starting duties.
Delgado, Dye and Blalock are all out there and at this point, I can't imagine Dye or Blalock commanding big bucks, but either of them would be a nice addition to share the DH duties with Luke and spell Atkins at 1B.
Last thing a bad team needs is to worry about a utility guy, but Felipe Lopez can play 3B, 2B and SS. Lopez would be a huge upgrade over Andino and allow DT some flexibility when making late inning changes. Andidno can't hit and my gut feeling is Wiggy is dealt to a NL team sometime during spring training when injuries arise because he is just better suited for a NL club.
Posted by: Birdland Todd | February 6, 2010 3:27 AM
Bird Todd
Your take on Felipe Lopez was interesting . If Lopez can actually play all these postions and hit some singles , he would be valuable addition to bench .
I like Andino for his glove but ( like you said he cant hit ) , I like Wiggy's bat but he makes me nervous fielding those grounders at third base .
I believe MacCheap want to see what clubs might be interested in those two guys , plus Luke Scott . The O's 40 man roster is FULL . MacCheap would have to trade or release someone before he can sign any free agents that you listed .
Posted by: Allan | February 6, 2010 3:59 AM
Wayne
'time to slip into my igloo and call it a night ' LOL , thanks for joke !
Pete
I know this is your blog and baseball news are kinda slow this time of year . But if you want start writing Super Bowl or other sporting topics , I be happy to read them while the O's try to dig their way out of their igloos .
P.S. everytime I try open my front door for quick peek , the wind blew the snow right at me !
Posted by: Allan | February 6, 2010 4:19 AM
add Allan, to the list:
Barb, Pablo, etc.
Hi Wayne!!!!!
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2010 5:01 AM
The next time someone equates the Colts move with the Cleveland move I'm going to open my front door and suffocate in the thirty foot snow drift on the porch..
There is not enough room here to bore everyone with the usual details, but earth to the world: Other than the fact that both teams relocated, THERE IS NO COMPARISON BETWEEN THE TWO MOVES!!
Thank you very much. I guess I'll go play - and die - in the big white mountain now.
Posted by: Fang Guy | February 6, 2010 5:02 AM
A nice article about our back up catcher or utility infielder would really hit the spot on this cold and snowy day! I mean, we'll be getting the same stuff when they fall 18 back at the end of June!
Nice job Andy, like those bats we bought!
Posted by: Stu Miller | February 6, 2010 6:32 AM
wayne, just because i stay positive doesn't mean i live in fantasy land. i'm willing to give AM one more off season before i do what you won't and that is stop giving the Os my money...which I've done the last 2 years as i didn't like the direction of the team. which i WILL this year cause i wanna see the young guys, which i won't next year when the Os should have the opportunity to significantly improve the team through FA and/or a big trade. i will also attend a spring training game or 2 as i live a couple hours from sarasota as well as 1:40 or so from clearwater and will be at the phils/os game.
ANYONE who encourages a revolt against the Os and fails to do so themselves is weak and lives in hypocrisy land, I don't care what their excuse is.
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 8:30 AM
Bedard made sense if he was ready by June to replace one of the opening day rotation. We all know at least one of them will need replacing by then. If Bedard is not ready til August, he makes no sense since one of the AAA guys will be the substitute of choice at that point.
Who else fits the bill of a veteran on the mend that could step in around June but won't otherwise block Tillman early in the year? Any ideas?
Posted by: zigzag | February 6, 2010 8:43 AM
CORRECTION: "which i won't next year when the Os should have the opportunity to significantly improve the team through FA and/or a big trade" and don't.
Posted by: cush | February 6, 2010 8:47 AM
oops, last wayne signed comment was cush
..............................................................................................
Pete's reply: This is starting to get scary. I'm wondering if everybody is actually Wayne, and since Wayne is me, then everybody is me and I really don't have any readers, which means I've wasted the last 17 months talking to myself.
Posted by: cush | February 6, 2010 8:49 AM
wow, now people are mistakingly signing in as ,,,,, well, wayne.
If you do sign in as wayne guys, please do me proud
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 9:28 AM
Looks like once again, someone is watching over the Orioles.
I was certainly all gung ho to sign Bedard, but not if he's that questionable healthwise. We need him for a full season or else it's a wasted signing.
Posted by: Bear the Birdfan | February 6, 2010 9:29 AM
wayne, i clearly admitted i put your name in the wrong place accidentally.
the post didn't do you proud because it pointed out that you don't do what it takes to hold the Os accountable. yes you have your reasons, but you still don't.
Posted by: cush | February 6, 2010 9:56 AM
Bear,
You are soooooooo right! I mean for so long now, the O's have been fortunate to have someone watching over them.
I mean...... can you imagine what would have happened last year had no one been watching over them?
It could have been ugly!
Damn, O's fan are lucky!
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 9:58 AM
Keith Oberman=Wayne=Rachel Maddow=JasonC=Reid=Gil
Posted by: Rush | February 6, 2010 10:09 AM
rush=angelos
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2010 10:16 AM
You're correct cush!
Posted by: wayne | February 6, 2010 10:30 AM
Let's hope Andy remembers that Bruce Chen & Rodrigo Lopez are still out there. Actually, Rolo pitched pretty well for the Phillies down the stretch. I think he was sent to their AAA when they signed Pedro.
Speaking of Pedro...???????
I vote for Pedro!
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Pete's reply: I know this is going to come as a huge disappointment to you, but Rodrigo signed with the Diamondbacks on Thursday.
Posted by: jack | February 6, 2010 10:52 AM
"Perfomed by the Macphail Hosanna Chorus"...
"Heysanna Hosanna sanna sanna ho sanna hey sanna ho sanna, Hey Mac C Mac C make NO trades for me sanna ho sanna hey for a Superstar."
Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2010 11:10 AM
Wayne, the Mayo Clinic recommends an adult male under the age of 50 years old consume 38 grams of fiber daily. However much you are taking, please double it.
Posted by: not_wayne | February 6, 2010 11:18 AM
I've been saying since the local clamoring for a return of Bedard to "stick it to" Seattle for that trade that he wouldn't be ready until at least mid season and even then that he probably wouldn't be anything close to what he once was.
Two elbow surgeries, two shoulder surgeries, a bursa in the elbow that was worked on, a lower back injury, and the fact that he wasn't the most durable guy to begin with before all of his stuff happened and I think it would have been a huge mistake to sign him.
I wanted Jon Garland to give us 200 IP of 4.50-4.90ERA baseball to at least keep us in some games during the season and give one of the lesser experienced guys like Matusz or Tillman some more time in AAA. Guess that doesn't happen now.
But, if you want some "new" news, the Orioles just signed former top prospect of the Dodgers; Joel Guzman. He of the 6'6'' and 252lbs of former SS turned 3B, turned 1B and corner OF'er. His power has slipped the last couple of seasons and has a propensity for lots of whiffs.
Posted by: The Mythical One | February 6, 2010 11:55 AM
Hey Schmucker, I think your shirts are neat, regardless of what mpm2010 says. They are colorful like your baseball instincts.
Posted by: john | February 6, 2010 12:38 PM
reply to John:
mpm2010 did not say that. It was Ben...as in see the name UNDER the post.
I have no problem personally with Peter's colorful wardrobe.
Posted by: mpm2010 | February 6, 2010 1:08 PM
A.M. is sleeping at the wheel again. The O's just lost out on Rodrigo Lopez.
Posted by: Jim L | February 6, 2010 2:11 PM
Bedard is basically Tim Lincecum minus the marijuana, 2 Cy Youngs and limitless talent.
Posted by: tom_baker | February 6, 2010 2:21 PM
This is really bad. There was all this speculation that Bedard was sort of an x-factor out there that could help put us over the edge. Now if either for his health reasons or the Mariner's being more aggressive, this opportunity didn't come to pass.
Ok, AM, what's your plan now? You flubbed the 3b/1b signing with some short term stops. We still have no true #1 pitcher and no clean up hitter (who needs those?). I like the young guys, and want to see them grow, but they need some real HELP.
Posted by: Strategery | February 6, 2010 3:48 PM
Resigning Bedard made sense only if he were healthy or the common wisdom was for an expeditious recovery. Neither of those things being true, letting the Ms have him back makes sense. Our roster has had too many longterm DL types over the past ten years. However, I am wondering why we dont take a chance on someone like Blalock. Even with the time he missed last year he hit better than most of our guys. What do you think?
Posted by: rphall | February 6, 2010 5:59 PM
what about Roger Clemens? Cmon Andy bring him in for 9 million and Barry Bonds to be our DH for 8 million.
Posted by: absolutely sweet marie | February 6, 2010 10:19 PM
Hey Strategery
Where have you been? We have a 3rd baseman who is still all star caliber and will probably drive in 100 runs and a 1st baseman who had an off year but is highly capable and a solid major leaguer.
Maddux wasn't a "true number 1" until he started doing it. We may have 2 "number 1pitchers" on the staff right now (Matusz and Bergesen). We also have a very good lineup with what is probably our future legitimate number 4 hitter.(Weiters).
Posted by: obviously 5 believers | February 6, 2010 10:25 PM
if Bedard pitches well in the 2nd half of next season with the Mariners, then we can re-approach him about coming back to Baltimore the following year when we hopefully will be ready to compete for the playoffs.
Posted by: Boomer | February 6, 2010 10:41 PM
Gotta say- funny comments:
- Wayne- Groundhog day
- And the Rodrigo Lopez stuff- Jack and Pete.
And for the record, I'll continue to go completely opposite of Wayne and emphatically stand by my support of- and belief in MacPhail's plan.
He knows what he's doing! We don't need an injury-plagued, lack of heart- and durability guy in Bedard. AM has wisely built carefully by not over-extending and strangle-holding our roster w/overrated, high-priced players for multi-year deals- like what has been done MANY times in the previous 12 years or so. He IS building the right way- primarily with youth- talented youth! I do agree with the naysayers in that to compete we MUST also spend...but I don't think it's now. AM knows what he is doing. Besides budgeting wisely to best give us the chance of winning long-term by supplementing our roster with better FA talent down the road, he's also better preparing our roster salaries to increase when we need to break the bank by signing a lot of our young players to multi-year deals and keep them from getting scooped up by the Stanks!
Patience. Yes, patience. The losing hasn't been fun, but let AM do his job...and be extremely grateful he has been entrusted TO DO HIS JOB and NOT have PA meddlng w/everything!
Posted by: Jim W | February 6, 2010 11:09 PM
Well looks like there won't be a #2 pitcher after all. Looks like we'll have to be content with....#1???-Millwood??, #2-VACANT, #3-Bergesen, #4-Matusz, #5-Guthrie
Posted by: dspedden | February 7, 2010 8:21 AM