Orioles To Hold On To Bedard?

UPDATE, 12-22-07 at 4:52pm: John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer says the Orioles have backed off on their demand for Jay Bruce from the Reds in a Bedard deal.  He says they still require three top prospects, who would probably be Homer Bailey, Johnny Cueto, and Joey Votto.  That would wipe out the farm system, as that trio ranks #2-4 in the organization according to Baseball America.  Would it be better to substitute Edwin Encarnacion for Cueto?

FROM 12-22-07 at 12:35pm:

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun recently snagged some quotes from Andy MacPhail, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations.  MacPhail said there’s a "strong likelihood" that Erik Bedard is the Orioles’ Opening Day starter in 2008.  He also said not to expect any Orioles deals before the new year.

MacPhail made the assertion because he hasn’t been impressed with any of the offers for Bedard.  The Reds would have to crack and give up Jay Bruce.  The Mariners would probably have to give up both Adam Jones and Brandon Morrow, and they seem unwilling to trade Morrow.  The Dodgers seem out of the mix given the Hiroki Kuroda signing.  It sounds like it would take a dark horse to sweep in and make a monstrous offer.  The Indians could fit the bill, in my estimation.