Don't Count on Bedard

Johan Santana will not become a Mariner this offseason, that's been established. So who is next for the Mariners? All the other teams in search for a top of the rotation pitcher will likely turn to Oakland starter Dan Haren after Santana's destination is finalized. Seattle obviously doesn't have that option, as Haren would never be traded to a division rival. It appears that Orioles pitcher Erik Bedard is next in line for Bill Bavasi's attention. Bedard has been brought up as a Mariner possibility on rumor sites and this blog all offseason, but now that Santana has been ruled out it is Bedard's time to shine.

Don't count on Bedard become a Seattle Mariner, though. It was controversial enough when Mariner fans found out the asking price for Johan Santana would start at Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow and Jeff Clement, but would Bavasi give the same package for Bedard? It would indeed take the same package to acquire Baltimore's ace, according to Mariners insider Larry LaRue. That is far too much. Bedard is about the same age as Santana, also left handed and the ace of a big league staff, but is injury prone (only making it over 30 starts once in his career), supposedly bad in the locker room and with the media, and is unlikely to re-sign.

With catching prospect Matt Weiters on the way for Baltimore, Jeff Clement may be able to be held out in exchange for Wladimir Balentien, which would make me feel a little bit better. I still don't see Bavasi pulling the trigger on this one unless the Baltimore GM realized that Bedard is not in fact Santana and lowers the price. I could part with Wladimir Balentien, Brandon Morrow and one other prospect, but that currently isn't enough to get the job done.

The Mets reportedly offered Aaron Heilman, Philip Humber and Lastings Milledge/Carlos Gomez for Erik Beddard and were denied. They may try the same package with Ryan Church as the outfielder, but that isn't much better. It's hard to prepare a Seattle equivalent, but Adam Jones would have to be in there.

Bedard would benefit Seattle, even in a trade for Jones, Morrow and Clement/Balentien. But with Bavasi seemingly committed to starting Adam Jones in right field, Bedard may not be enough of a return to change that plan. Don't count on Bavasi to make a real move for this ace either.

Sources: Next! Seattle Persues Lefty Erik Bedard, by Larry LaRue ER-BED

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