The Market for Erik Bedard

JasonAChurchill · June 20th, 2008, 12:28 AM

I hate to say “I told you so” to those who liked the Erik Bedard trade - okay, I don’t hate to say it, but… - it’s time for the Seattle Mariners to admit at least one of two things. Either the Bedard trade was a mistake to begin with (clearly it was) or it’s simply [...]

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Timberwolf · June 20th, 2008, 07:19 PM

Something is wrong with Bedard. Leaving after three innings either supports the idea that he has been injured or validates our worst fears about his make-up.

Silentpadna · June 22nd, 2008, 08:15 PM

I still think it's a little early to say "I told you so". I know you've been against the trade from the start. I'm one of those who supported the Bedard trade. And I would to it again actually.

Not because I thought the M's were ready to compete this year - I didn't - though I don't think anyone could have predicted the debacle we've seen. I do think, given the resources of the team, that pitchers of his caliber don't come around often enough to pass up on. I've been a Bedard fan for 3 years or so - well before his breakout season, so I've followed him closely.

I agree with Twolf that Bedard is likely holding back some due to injury or tenderness of some sort. Given the way the season has gone, I can hardly blame the guy for being careful. He's far from the problem with this team.

I think he'd bring back more in trade than you assert in your piece, but agree for the most part with some of the names you mention. I wouldn't be interested in trading him at this point unless I've received some sort of word from his agent that he is not going to sign here no matter what. He's more the type you build around than sell off... especially if he's not going to fetch some high upside (which, again I disagree with that premise). If all Bedard will get for you is what you suggest, then there is no use in trading him now - see how the offseason shakes out and whether you can win a pennant with him in near future - provided you can re-sign him.

I'd also add that Tillman and Butler are replaceable (and BTW have basically been replaced with the young Wisconsin guys). That's what you use your minor league strengths for. It's hard to imagine the M's being able to foresee how things would shake out this year in terms of his ticking off BB, but even so, given the situation, I think we've learned just how dysfunctional things are. (That dysfunction is related more to Ichiro and Joh IMO than to whether Bedard is a nice guy or not). If I were in Bedard's shoes, the season is long past the point of pitching through injury - I'd be being careful too. If in fact, that's what he's doing. I don't think any of us can know that for certain.

Silentpadna · June 22nd, 2008, 08:30 PM

By the way, if Bedard was to be involved in a trade with the Cubs, I'd make sure that while he isn't the centerpiece because of the uncertainty, get them to include Rich Hill in that deal. He may need a change of scenery is all...

June 20th, 2008, 12:28 AM	#1 (permalink)
JasonAChurchill Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 154	The Market for Erik Bedard I hate to say “I told you so” to those who liked the Erik Bedard trade - okay, I don’t hate to say it, but… - it’s time for the Seattle Mariners to admit at least one of two things. Either the Bedard trade was a mistake to begin with (clearly it was) or it’s simply [...] Read more by following the link

June 20th, 2008, 07:19 PM	#2 (permalink)
Timberwolf Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 1,855	Something is wrong with Bedard. Leaving after three innings either supports the idea that he has been injured or validates our worst fears about his make-up.

June 22nd, 2008, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
Silentpadna Rookie Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	I still think it's a little early to say "I told you so". I know you've been against the trade from the start. I'm one of those who supported the Bedard trade. And I would to it again actually. Not because I thought the M's were ready to compete this year - I didn't - though I don't think anyone could have predicted the debacle we've seen. I do think, given the resources of the team, that pitchers of his caliber don't come around often enough to pass up on. I've been a Bedard fan for 3 years or so - well before his breakout season, so I've followed him closely. I agree with Twolf that Bedard is likely holding back some due to injury or tenderness of some sort. Given the way the season has gone, I can hardly blame the guy for being careful. He's far from the problem with this team. I think he'd bring back more in trade than you assert in your piece, but agree for the most part with some of the names you mention. I wouldn't be interested in trading him at this point unless I've received some sort of word from his agent that he is not going to sign here no matter what. He's more the type you build around than sell off... especially if he's not going to fetch some high upside (which, again I disagree with that premise). If all Bedard will get for you is what you suggest, then there is no use in trading him now - see how the offseason shakes out and whether you can win a pennant with him in near future - provided you can re-sign him. I'd also add that Tillman and Butler are replaceable (and BTW have basically been replaced with the young Wisconsin guys). That's what you use your minor league strengths for. It's hard to imagine the M's being able to foresee how things would shake out this year in terms of his ticking off BB, but even so, given the situation, I think we've learned just how dysfunctional things are. (That dysfunction is related more to Ichiro and Joh IMO than to whether Bedard is a nice guy or not). If I were in Bedard's shoes, the season is long past the point of pitching through injury - I'd be being careful too. If in fact, that's what he's doing. I don't think any of us can know that for certain.

June 22nd, 2008, 08:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Silentpadna Rookie Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3	By the way, if Bedard was to be involved in a trade with the Cubs, I'd make sure that while he isn't the centerpiece because of the uncertainty, get them to include Rich Hill in that deal. He may need a change of scenery is all...