Bedard Rumors
A few days ago, I mentioned that the Orioles were looking to sign left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard to a long term contract, but now it appears that they are talking trades with a few teams, the Los Angeles Dodgers in particular.
According to a rumor report on Yahoo! Sports, the Orioles are looking for a package deal of younger position players, Matt Kemp in particular - so they can take advantgage of the free agent market being thin in pitching, and so the organization can perhaps return to contention in the next couple of years.
The full article can be found here: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AmeRwDTxV18p5CZkS_DsqDwRvLYF?slug=ti-dodgersorioles112007&prov=yhoo&type=lgns
I understand where the writer, and the organization, is coming from; the Orioles need to make changes in order to become a threat in the AL East, but at the same time, I would hate to see Bedard leave. I know he'll eventually leave the team either via a trade or free agency, but there is a part of me that wants to postpone the inevitable. To get some young talent from the Dodgers would certianly strengthen our lineup and defense - something the Orioles need, desperatly.
Currently, Bedard is our one dominate pitcher. Daniel Cabrera is too unreliable for my tastes, even though his raw power is amazing; Jeremy Guthrie did a phenomenal job, and I'll be excited to see him pitch again in 2008, hopefully without injury; and of course there's Adam Loewen, who is expected to be at full strength from elbow surgery by Spring Training. If the Orioles can hold on to Bedard just a little longer, I have a feeling we'll see some good. But, that could just be my wishful thinking kicking in.
I'm clearly torn between trading and keeping Bedard...what are your thoughts?
~B
6 comments:
My thought is trade Bedard now while his value is highest. If the Orioles can get Kemp, James Loney, and a young pitcher in return, that works for me. As good as he was last season, what had he done in the previous two seasons to warrant a long term deal?
Good post.
There are several reasons why we should keep Bedard and should not keep him.
Foremost, left-handed pitching is hard to find - especially good left-handed pitching.
His numbers do show that he's one of the best hurlers in the game despite his experience.
However, he's never really been *healthy* for a full season, and furthermore there are questions about his attitude, work ethic and desire to be an Oriole.
And he's still under our control for two more seasons, thus, we *don't* have to trade him.
Since it is shown that Baltimore is clearly rebuilding, do we keep him around in the hopes we get good, or do you trade him when his value his high (like now).
It remains to be seen, but if the Orioles are truly rebuilding, I'd dangle him and see what it is out there.
I'd like to only trade him if the package included Kershaw somehow. I've heard rumors about Kemp/Kershaw/Broxton, and I would be more than happy to see that trade go through. In return we'd be getting a potential #1 starter, and a quality outfielder and reliever.
My view on Bedard is trade him now while his value is up. The man is 28, has pitched one full season, and is always an injury risk. In my view, there is much more room for drop off than there is for improvement, so move him now and get some cheap, young talent in return.
you people have got to be kidding me. you really believe that the dodgers are going to give up their top prospects for Bedard? Maybe one of those guys and some lower minor league talent. if they are going to give up talent like that it's going to be for Cabrera not Bedard.
Well, I don't think the Dodgers may give up one their top prospects for him, plus maybe one or two of their lower level guys.
With Bedard, the O's have the upper hand -- they still have him for 2 years under their control.
LHP is hard to find, someone may very well bite if the price is right...
Not sure why the O's would even consider trading Bedard, except to maybe the Dodgers for all their blue-chip prospects. But I think all those prospects will be traded for Miguel Cabrera in the upcoming day(s).
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