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Brian Roberts Rumors

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Some of you are sick of it, some of you are clamoring for any kind of tidbit.  Here’s the latest on the Brian Roberts to the Cubs possibility.

  • Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times says Roberts is "back atop the Cubs’ wish list."  He says the Cubs are hopeful about their chances, but believes it would take most of Spring Training to hammer out the details.  The Orioles’ reported insistence on Felix Pie might lessen now that they have Adam Jones.  Seems that if these talks fall apart, it could be because the Orioles decided to extend Roberts’ contract and keep him as the face of the franchise (a long shot).
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs remain interested and GM Jim Hendry hopes to chat with Andy MacPhail before Wednesday.  Miles’ source indicates that the Cubs and Orioles haven’t really gotten into specifics on the Roberts trade talks.  Miles doesn’t expect Pie or Tyler Colvin to be involved.

Erik Bedard Trade Official

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1:30pm: Ken Rosenthal reports that the deal is officially done.  The Mariners send Adam Jones, Chris Tillman, George Sherrill, Tony Butler, and Kam Mickolio to Baltimore for Erik Bedard.  I’ll have some analysis on the deal later this afternoon.  Rosenthal also notes that the Cubs "remain heavily interested" in Brian Roberts, so that deal could be next as the gutting of the Orioles continues.

10:45am: Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times says Erik Bedard’s physical could carry over into today.  That means an announcement will come this afternoon at the earliest, or perhaps Saturday.  Baker also goes into some detail about 27 year-old Venezuelan baseball writer Augusto Cardenas, who helped start this debacle.

For a change of pace, think of the human element to this story.  It’ll make it more interesting.  Read SI.com’s recent profile on Bedard.  Anyone who breaks up the day with a few rounds of RBI Baseball is alright by me. 

I think video game designers are so focused on graphics these days that they neglect gameplay.  A game like RBI Baseball is more inclusive and fun than the current stuff.  People of all ages can figure it out in two minutes and have a good time.  Isn’t that the point?

Do The Red Sox Care About Blanton?

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With Joe Blanton seemingly the best available starter, the logical question is whether the Red Sox will now go after him.  Curt Schilling’s doctor believes he may never pitch again if he doesn’t have surgery.

The Globe and Mail’s Jeff Blair believes:

Theo Epstein has already laid some groundwork with the Oakland Athletics Billy Beane for a deal involving Joe Blanton, remnants of discussions the clubs had about Dan Haren before Haren was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

However, The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo wrote today that the Sox "merely kicked the tires on Erik Bedard and Dan Haren."

Ken Rosenthal suggested that Epstein might acquire more pitching depth, but didn’t mention Blanton.  Personally I do not see Epstein going the Blanton route.  Blanton doesn’t seem like the type of guy who would thrive in the AL East, though his price will be significant.  If anything, I’d expect Epstein to target a guy with good stuff, like Gil Meche, Ben Sheets, or Ian Snell (rather than the suggestions I have seen of Kyle Lohse or Jason Marquis).

Erik Bedard Rumors

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7:31pm: In case you wanted another update…the Sun says Bedard is still at home and hasn’t traveled to Seattle for a physical yet.

4:56pm: John Hickey says an official announcement won’t come today and may come on Wednesday.

8:54am: The Erik Bedard trade has had many accompanying micro-rumors as it’s dragged along.  The current micro-rumor, courtesy of Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun, is that Bedard is expected to take his physical today.  I think we’re all ready for an official announcement.

Jeff Zrebiec says the framework has been agreed upon, and it’s the players we’ve been discussing for the past few days.  At any rate we should have an announcement by week’s end.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Erik Bedard

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Another one of baseball’s top young lefties is about to be traded. Last week it was Johan Santana. This week it appears as if Erik Bedard is going to be traded to the Mariners for Adam Jones, a relief pitcher and three top pitching prospects. Despite rumors of a completed deal over a week ago, and worries that Peter Angelos might kill the deal, reports appear to indicate that the trade could be finalized. Any. Minute. Now. But before the deal is completed, let’s take a look at reactions to the Bedard trade from the blogosphere.

  • Camden Chat says farewell and thanks to Erik Bedard. They are now looking forward to watching the 2008 Baltimore Orioles even if the team is destined to lose 100 games.
  • Oriole Magic thinks this entire saga has been more interesting than the regular season will turn out to be.
  • Bleacher Report says there is no prize for finishing 4th in the AL East (tell that to Rays fans) and Peter Angelos needs to OK the deal.
  • Detect-O-Vision compares the Johan Santana deal to the Erik Bedard deal. While the Mariners appear to be offering more for Bedard, their system is much deeper than the Mets and they can afford the price.
  • Caffeinated Confines takes a look at who will play right field for the Mariners if Adam Jones is traded.
  • Bugs & Cranks thinks that this deal, along with the Miguel Tejada deal are moves that the Orioles should have made years ago.
  • Fake Teams takes a look at the three pitching prospects that are expected to be acquired by the Orioles.

by Cork Gaines

Cubs/Brian Roberts Update

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Buster Olney has the latest on the Cubs’ talks to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts.  According to Olney:

Sources involved in Baltimore’s trade talks with Chicago expressed confidence that at some point, the Orioles and Cubs will finish the proposed Brian Roberts deal.

Olney says Sean Gallagher would be the centerpiece of the deal.  On February 3rd, ESPN’s Jayson Stark said Gallagher or Sean Marshall would be included, but beyond that nothing has been decided.

Erik Bedard Trade Almost Done

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5:31pm: Baker update: Sherrill made an appearance in Baltimore to take his physical this morning.  The O’s may not need to examine the three young pitchers coming over.  Bedard has yet to fly out to Seattle but this thing should be done by week’s end.  Meanwhile Jason Churchill (righthand sidebar of his site) is 100% convinced the trade will happen and expects an announcement soon.

3:53pm: Sean Welsh of the Baltimore Examiner says the deal could be completed soon but not finalized today.

12:47pm: Geoff Baker checks in, mostly to dismiss any rumor of Brian Roberts being added to the deal.  I hadn’t heard that one from any legitimate outlet.

10:51am: The Sun has an update: this deal is nearing completion, pending physicals.  Jones is officially in Baltimore for his physical.  The deal may be announced later today.

MONDAY, 7:48am: This Baltimore Sun article was posted at 2:48am CST today. Jeff Zrebiec said no one’s taken a physical yet, but "officials from both sides remain confident a deal can be reached."

SUNDAY, 10:43pm: John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer says Adam Jones went to Baltimore today for that long-awaited physical.  Hickey says this physical is the only remaining impediment to the Mariners swapping Erik Bedard for Jones, George Sherrill, Tillman, Mickolio, and Butler.  Sounds like we might have an announcement on Monday or Tuesday.

SUNDAY, 11:39am: Larry Stone of the Seattle Times gives his take on the Erik Bedard situation.  The money quote:

All current indications are that, after all the histrionics of the past week, the Mariners and Orioles will really, truly, actually, once and for all, no turning back, no mulligans, no backing out, no passing go, get this trade done. But check back tomorrow, because nothing is for certain in this messed-up deal.

Stone also adds that Adam Jones was not in Baltimore for a physical on Friday, contrary to other reports.  He also gives some details about the three tall pitchers rumored to be part of the deal – Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio, and Tony Butler.

Brad Wilkerson Signs With Mariners

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The Mariners officially signed Brad Wilkerson today to a one-year deal.  Scott Boras says he’s a good fit even if the Ms don’t trade Adam Jones.  Now that I think about it and see the price – $3MM – I might agree with that.  The Seattle Times’ Larry Stone considers this signing a "possible precursor to finalization" of a Jones trade.  So maybe progress has been made on the Erik Bedard front.

Wilkerson, 29, hit .234/.319/.467 for the Rangers in ’07, earning $4.35MM.  Wilkerson had some interesting years from 2002-04, putting up OPSs above .840.  Wrist and shoulder injuries seemingly had a lot to do with his struggles thereafter.

Erik Bedard Rumors

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UPDATES, 1-31-08 at 2:13pm: Interesting note from SI.com’s Jon Heyman – the Indians made a late bid for Bedard.

UPDATE, 1-31-08 at 11:36am: Bedard’s agent takes a swing at MLB.com for suggesting that the deal was held up because of extension talks with the Orioles.  Not true.

UPDATE, 1-31-08 at 11:24am: Buster Olney checks in with some new info.  He explains a tricky situation regarding the rules of making trades and passing physicals.  Olney says the Orioles have asked the Mariners for an agreement where they would have have to make the trade if Adam Jones and George Sherrill passed their physicals.  This written agreement could move things along.

FROM 1-31-08 at 9:12am:

Erik Bedard rumors/drama – here’s the latest.

  • Andy MacPhail says Peter Angelos did not nix any deal.  McPhail says trade talks are ongoing and no deals are expected today.
  • Yesterday it was reported by MLB.com’s Jim Street that the Orioles were making a last-ditch effort to sign Bedard to an extension, perhaps as long as five years.

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