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Four Teams Considering Trot Nixon

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According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, four teams watched 33 year-old outfielder Trot Nixon audition in Tucson today: the D’Backs, Blue Jays, Mariners, and Dodgers.  Nixon earned $4MM in ’07 while hitting .251/.342/.336 for the Tribe in 354 plate appearances.  He was pretty much injury-free.

Nixon’s calling card had typically been his ability to rake right-handed pitching.  He hit .256/.352/.345 against righties in ’07, drawing plenty of walks but displaying no power.  Rather than a platoon he seems in line for a bench job this year.

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?

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

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.

Odds and Ends: Interview, Felix , Fujikawa

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Let’s kick things off today with odds and ends.

  • Charley Walters says that "it wouldn’t be surprising" if the Twins go after Josh Fogg for some veteran stability.  I could see that.
  • I did an interview with Baseball Zealot Radio yesterday, which can be found here in mp3 form.
  • Bleeding Blue and Teal talks Mariners with KOMO Radio’s Shannon Drayer.  One interesting note, she wondered whether the Mariners might start thinking about a long-term deal for Felix Hernandez.
  • JapanBall.com says top reliever Kyuji Fujikawa signed with the Hansin Tigers for about $2.64MM.  The top-notch closer hoped to be posted, but the Tigers would not honor that request.
  • Anyone having problems viewing MLBTradeRumors.com?  I few people have emailed me saying it won’t load.  Let me know in the comments or at mlbtraderumors@gmail.com (which browser you use would be helpful).  I am hearing that FireFox users are having problems but clearing cookies and cache should solve them.
  • For those wondering, the times on MLBTR are in the Central Standard Time Zone, because that’s where I am.

Mariners Close To Bedard Deal?

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UPDATE, 1-30-08 at 5:19pm: MLB.com’s Jim Street says a last-ditch attempt by the Orioles to sign Bedard to a five-year contract is holding up the trade.  Street says Bedard’s agent told Andy MacPhail it would take seven years and $100MM, however.  Street touches on the Jones degenerative hip thing, indicating that the Orioles heard this but it turned out to be unsubstantiated.

UPDATE, 1-30-08 at 4:38pm: Geoff Baker checks in.  He’s not able to corroborate the MLB.com report.  He was able to dismiss the Adam Jones hip stuff.  Baker’s heard that Angelos was angry about the Jones leak though.  Baker does not buy Andy MacPhail’s talk of other clubs being in the mix – the Mariners have a very strong offer.

FROM 1-30-08 at 3:56pm:

According to MLB.com’s Jim Molony:

Talks were thought to be stalled, but multiple MLB sources said Wednesday that Baltimore and Seattle are close to finalizing the deal the two teams have been discussing for weeks. The trade would send Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard to the Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, pitchers George Sherill and Chris Tillman and as many as two additional prospects.

Molony’s article was published at 1pm CST today.  5 for 1 would be quite a package.  Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider still sees a 4 for 1 coming together by week’s end (righthand sidebar).

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