Bedard Extension preferred

The Orioles website just announce a rumor that's been floating around other sports news sites for a few weeks - they'd rather sign staff ace Erik Bedard to an extension rather than trade him.

Andy MacPhail brought up points that "young lefties don't grow on trees" and that the organization is planning on meeting with Bedard's agent before Winter Meetings next month.

Full story here - http://baltimore.orioles.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071115&content_id=2301023&vkey=news_bal&fext=.jsp&c_id=bal

The Orioles would be smart to sign Bedard long term - as the article points out, if Bedard leaves, the rotation is left without an ace pitcher, something the organization definitely needs.

What are your thoughts on signing Erik and of the teams that were supposedly interested in him? When I saw the New York Yankees in the mix, I had flashbacks to when we lost Mussina to free agency...

~B