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Erik Bedard Rumors: Monday

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UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 8:58pm: The drama continues.  Baker believes the deal is still alive, and heard the original quotes from Jones with his own two ears.  Jones did say he was traded to the Orioles and that he was off to Baltimore for a physical, despite the KOMO 1000 backpedaling.  In other words, the Orioles asked him to kindly stop talking.

Jeff Zrebiec has the latest from the Baltimore side.  The O’s are holding this up over "unspecified complex issues," which might mean Angelos’ approval.  Zrebiec believes the framework of a deal has been agreed upon, and that Jones was at one point scheduled to fly to Baltimore for a physical.  Zrebiec also got in touch with Mariners GM Bill Bavasi, who apparently pulled Jones from winter ball simply because he "met his goals."

UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 5:46pm: According to KOMO 1000 News Radio, Jones has been ordered not to play but remains in Venezuela.  He was also misquoted by the Venezuelan press – he did not mention getting traded.

UPDATE, 1-28-08 at 4:51pm: I honestly didn’t think Angelos would interfere with this one.  But according to Ken Rosenthal, the deal is on hold and possibly off because of him.  Then again, we knew it was on hold until Tuesday anyway because of Angelos’ availability.

FROM 1-28-08 at 1:43pm:

Let’s get a fresh post going for the Erik Bedard rumors.

  • According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the Bedard to Seattle trade awaits Peter Angelos’ approval.  Angelos will not be available today to evaluate the deal because of a family matter.  So this should drag a bit more.
  • Stark still expects the deal to get done but verifies that Adam Jones was not sent to Baltimore for a physical. 
  • Jerry Crasnick says both Jones and George Sherrill have been told to take physicals in anticipation of the deal.  Sherrill disputes this in the Seattle PI, though.
  • Stark and Crasnick say the current package from Seattle is Jones, Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and a fourth unknown prospect.  Tillman, however, hasn’t yet been informed of a trade.

Wilkerson Signs With Mariners?

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Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times is being told that "the Mariners already have a one-year deal with free-agent Brad Wilkerson in their back pocket for the moment a Bedard trade is finalized."  Wilkerson will pass on a one-year, $2MM plus incentives offer to be a Red Sox backup.  This all gels with MLBTR’s report from January 24th.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark mentioned that Luis Gonzalez could be another option for the Ms.  Gonzalez recently scoffed at a $2MM Marlins offer.  Gonzo made $7.35MM in ’07.

Bedard Traded To Mariners?

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UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 11:29pm: Geoff Baker checks in again.  He notes MacPhail’s careful choice of words and reiterates that a deal appears close.  He seems to think only a Peter Angelos objection could kill it, but would consider that a crazy thing for him to do.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 10:55pm: Jason Churchill, referencing three sources, believes this to be 99% done.  He is hearing Jones, Tillman, Sherrill, Tony Butler, and Kameron Mickolio to the O’s.  He’s not sure whether Bedard extension talks are a factor but you have to think that might be holding it up.  He’s also unsure on whether the O’s would include anyone else with Bedard.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 10:25pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com says "there is still some internal debate in Baltimore over the deal."  Heyman’s heard that Jones, Tillman, and Sherrill are possibilities but the Ms may keep Jeff Clement.  Heyman then goes on to add that the O’s might send Brian Roberts to the Cubs for Sean Gallagher and Felix Pie if they finish the Bedard deal.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 9:32pm: No deal, says Andy MacPhail.  He denies that Jones is headed to Baltimore for a physical.  This Baltimore Sun link also has quotes from Jones, which kind of started the whole thing.  Someone must’ve said something to him.

UPDATE, 1-27-08 at 8:45pm: A high-ranking Orioles official told the Baltimore Sun that a trade has not been completed.  Meanwhile MLB.com’s Jim Street believes the Ms will send Jones, Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and a minor leaguer for Bedard.

FROM 1-27-08 at 7:49pm:

According to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times, Adam Jones is headed to Baltimore in an Erik Bedard trade.  Jones was pulled from the Lara Cardinals’ lineup today in Venezuela.  Cardinals manager Luis Sojo confirmed Jones went to Baltimore for a physical.

Baker got in touch with reliever George Sherrill, who has not been informed of any involvement in a trade.  When we hear about the other players involved we’ll post it here.

Roberts Deal Trailing Bedard Trade?

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman believes completion of an Erik Bedard trade to Seattle could be followed with a trade of Brian Roberts to the Cubs.  He says that would be "possibly for Felix Pie and Sean Gallagher." 

Two seasons of Roberts for twelve of Pie and Gallagher doesn’t seem wise for the Cubs.  To me, Pie and Gallagher seem likely to at least become solid Major Leaguers.

Marlon Byrd/Matt Murton Rumors

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Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News has the latest on the Marlon Byrd/Cubs rumors.

Byrd has been informed that the Cubs have interest in him.  Grant says the Rangers reportedly turned down an offer of Matt Murton for Byrd, requiring one or two pitching prospects be added by the Cubs.  So for those who think Murton is worth more than Byrd – the Rangers apparently do not agree.

Meanwhile, ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick runs down three possible destinations for Murton: Texas, Baltimore, and San Diego.  It seems that the Cubs would prefer to resolve the Baltimore trade talks before they’d ship Murton to one of the other two clubs.  Talks for Erik Bedard and/or Brian Roberts are ongoing, according to Crasnick.

Erik Bedard Rumors

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The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec was able to get in touch with Erik Bedard this evening.  Bedard’s quotes paint a story of his team not attempting to sign him to an extension.  He says how there are a lot more talks about trading him than signing him.  He accuses the Orioles of "playing it both ways."  Bedard is certain about one thing – he has no desire to be part of a rebuilding effort.

Andy MacPhail says Bedard’s agent suggested a one-year deal and denied the Orioles’ multiyear overtures.  MacPhail’s version sounds more accurate, given that Bedard’s agent acknowledged the Orioles’ "conceptual" talks about signing him through 2010.

Zrebiec thinks a deal could happen with the Mariners next week, of course centered around Adam Jones.  The Orioles covet Chris Tillman and Carlos Triunfel as well, though Triunfel may be untouchable.

Cubs Still Discussing Roberts

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Judging by my inbox, many of you are thirsty for Brian Roberts info.  Here’s the latest from a rumor-packed Jeff Zrebiec article:

The Chicago Cubs remain the likely landing spot for Roberts for a package that is expected to include pitcher Sean Gallagher and one of the Cubs’ young outfielders. The teams have discussed several scenarios but have yet to agree on a package.

Roberts is set to earn $6.3MM in ’08 and $8MM in ’09.  The 30 year-old switch-hitter is projected to hit .287/.363/.437 in 579 ABs by the fine ZiPS system.  The same system calls for a 4.91 ERA in 143 innings from the 22 year-old Gallagher.  Gallagher dropped 25 pounds this winter, for what it’s worth.

Orioles Discuss Lohse, Villone, Chacon

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Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles are looking at various one or two-year stopgap free agents.

  • According to Scott Boras, he and Andy MacPhail have discussed six or seven of his clients.  Among them are Kyle Lohse, Ron Villone, and Corey Patterson.  Lohse would probably not sign for two years, I’m guessing.  Or in the American League.  Who else might they have discussed?  Jeff Weaver?  Anyway, it’s nice to see the Orioles getting along with Boras!
  • Zrebiec notes that the O’s have had "preliminary talks" with the agents for Shawn Chacon and Steve Trachsel.  Looks like MacPhail just wants some warm bodies for the back end of the rotation.  Chacon seems to prefer to the Pirates, and a return to Pittsburgh looks "increasingly logical."
  • Zbrebiec says Rod Barajas seems to be headed elsewhere despite "significant discussions" with Baltimore.

Erik Bedard Rumors

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Here’s the latest on the Erik Bedard front.

Odds and Ends: Howard, Cormier, Gerut

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I am currently evaluating Phil Hughes’ playlist.  Some of it is solid.  Let’s get on to the odds and ends…

  • Bill Conlin thinks it’s a mistake for the Phillies to pay Ryan Howard at a rate commensurate with his service time.  It’s a slippery slope – shouldn’t Cole Hamels be earning $15MM instead of $500K, then?  The system may be broken but it doesn’t make sense for the Phillies to start ignoring service time.
  • John Mozeliak is not done yet.  Meanwhile, Albert Pujols continued to direct his ire at KTVI-TV of St. Louis. 
  • The Orioles agreed to a minor league deal with 27 year-old righty Lance Cormier worth around $450K.  Cormier doesn’t have much to show for his 244 big league innings, whether starting or relieving.  He has a decent groundball rate, at least.
  • The Padres signed Jody Gerut to a minor league pact that could be worth as much as $910K.  He’s 30 now; his best season was an .830 OPS for Cleveland at age 25.  Since then he’s had all sorts of knee problems and even had a grievance with the Pirates.

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