Erik Bedard Rumors

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Cubs, Red Sox, Hawkins

Some more links to read through as we count down the hours until teams can start serious negotiations with all free agents... GM Neal Huntington tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch that the Pirates won't be spending big on relievers this year: "Our focus is going to be more on the borderline-type guys that may not get $3-4 million or may not even get a Major League contract," Huntington said. The Cubs probably can't afford Rich Harden or Reed Johnson, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Harden and Erik Bedard appear on Jeff Zrebiec's list of ten free agents the O's might target....   Continue Reading

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Mariner Musings: Lackey, Washburn, Bedard, Branyan

Earlier today we learned that Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik is looking forward to having Felix Hernandez around for the next two years, but the rumors don't stop there... ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Mariners are a sleeper in the John Lackey sweepstakes. Larry LaRue of The News Tribune says the Mariners have interest in bringing Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard back, but they won't overpay. MLB.com's Jim Street reports that Russell Branyan's back is feeling good, and he hopes to return to the Emerald City Mark Feinsand of The NY Daily News basically got a "no comment" out of...   Continue Reading

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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui

On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere... MLB Notebook suggests Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard for the Dodgers over Vicente Padilla. Around the...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Erik Bedard

A few years ago, it seemed possible that Erik Bedard could score a massive $20MM per year free agent contract upon reaching free agency after the 2009 season. One huge trade and two disappointing seasons later, he's likely to sign a one-year deal. Bedard, who turns 31 in March, was at peak value after whiffing 221 in 182 innings for the '07 Orioles. In one of the most lopsided trades of the decade, the Orioles sent the lefty to Seattle for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio, and Tony Butler. Sherrill has since been spun into prospects Josh...   Continue Reading

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Red Sox Like Buy-Low, High-Upside Starters

John Smoltz and Brad Penny didn't work out for the Red Sox, but the pair of righthanders cost the club a relatively small amount, so they'll consider similar pitchers this offseason. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein tells Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald that he will remain open-minded as he looks for a starter to complement Tim Wakefield. "We’re probably not going to end up with a front-line free agent starting pitcher with the way we look at the market and the nature of the market these days," Epstein said. "Could we end up with another buy-low, high-upside, low-risk starting...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Castillo, Wagner, Pitching

Some links to look through on the day Eric Munson returns to the big leagues... Joel Sherman of The NY Post wonders if a Luis Castillo for Jeremy Bonderman or Nate Robertson deal makes sense. Placido Polanco will be a free agent after the season, and both pitchers are expendable to Detroit. Castillo is owed $12MM over the next two years, while Bonderman and Robertson will take in $12.5MM and $10MM, respectively, in the final season of their contracts next year. Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets that the best possibilities for Billy Wagner next year are the Braves, Astros, Cubs,...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Free Agent Pitchers

"I don't think there's one pitcher in this entire group I'd invest a lot of money in. Not one," said one general manager to ESPN's Jayson Stark. This year's collection of free agent pitchers doesn't have the star power that last year's CC Sabathia highlighted crop had, or that next year's group led by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee will have, but there will still be plenty of money thrown around. As Stark explains, club officials seem to be down on available starters this year, describing them as "risky," "weak," "terrible," and "mediocre" among other things. One AL executive said...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Bedard, Rays, Hall, Brewers

A few more loose links I rounded up... Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times that he "has not ruled out offering some type of extension deal to injured pitcher Erik Bedard." Of course, the club will monitor Bedard's recovery from shoulder surgery before doing anything. The Rays have signed fourth rounder Luke Bailey for $750K according to Baseball America's Jim Callis. Bailey was arguably the top high school catcher in the draft, but he blew out his elbow in the spring and needed Tommy John surgery. The Cincinnati Enquirer's Tom Groeschen mentions that the Reds...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Strasburg, White Sox, Rangers

Here's a few links to the get night started right... Ben Goessling of The Washington Times reports that a "club source said managing principal owner Ted Lerner, team president Stan Kasten and acting general manager Mike Rizzo all flew to California last week to visit with (Stephen) Strasburg." It is unknown if Scott Boras was part of the meeting, or if Strasburg took the physical necessary to sign a Major League contract. Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweets that Erik Bedard had his "bursa debrided & labrum repaired" when he underwent shoulder surgery. He can resume baseball activity in 4-6...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Reds, Rangers, Bedard

Some fairly interesting nuggets to scope out this Wednesday evening: Despite the Reds' abysmal play as of late, team CEO Bob Castellini has given manager Dusty Baker a vote of confidence for this year and next, says John Fay at the Cincinnati Enquirer. Doug Miller at MLB.com reports that Spring Training has been a huge boon for Florida, generating over $750MM for the state. "Major League Baseball has a following that transcends economic downturns," researcher Dr. Mark Bonn said. Haven't heard that from team owners too often. The Rangers designated minor-league RHP John Bannister for assignment to make room for...   Continue Reading

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