EriK, coming up on 710 a Options

[lisa mariner]

Erik Bedard was on ESPN earlier today with "Brock and Salk" and they are replaying the interview in about 5 minutes....

[lisa mariner]

Some notes jotted from the interview...

On his biting curve...
-first threw one when he started playing baseball at 13 (played softball prior to that)
-was practicing with his brother 2 years into the majors and 'found' a new grip

On his favorite type of strikeout...
not really a favorite pitch, more to do with the situation - like late, in front of a big crowd, with 2 runners on... hearing the crowd yell

On how to handle trade talks...
just deal with it, it's part of the game and just the way it is

On how he is enjoying Seattle this year...
loves Seattle... the city, the fans, the stadium, good coaches ... having a lot of fun

On whether the good vibe earlier in the season has changed...
if the hitting keeps going the way it has the past couple of nights, we are going to win some games

On whether he would consider re-signing with the M's...
"Yes. I love it here."

On his off-day today...
went fishing at Jay Buhner's place (which is for sale btw) and caught 15 rainbow trout.

[Gomez]

I know he's got to say the right things on the air... but man it's cool if he really does like it up here.

[SonofHaroldReyno...]

On whether he would consider re-signing with the M's...
"Yes. I love it here."

That's pretty definitive. You almost want to believe him...

[TopCat]

Too bad the interview is with Salk. That guy is horrible. He's like fingernails on the chalkboard. Why we needed to bring a Boston guy out here for a local show is just ridiculous. KC's show is way better.

[Vidya]

That's pretty definitive. You almost want to believe him...

One thing Erik doesn't do is beat around the bush or be vague. There is nothing subtle in what he says. He really does like it here and wants to stay. What's not to like about Seattle? It's a great city in a great region, with many of the positives any outdoor loving Canadian would love. There's a new management team here and a positive attitude that is 180 degrees from last year.

The only problem right now is management. How much are they willing to risk on him for how many years? Erik may want to stay, but he has an agent that's going to make sure he gets a decent contract. Zduriencik and the FO are simply waiting for the season to unfold and see if he can stay healthy. Right now the indications are very positive, but it's going to take a few more high pitch count games to get the Mariners to commit the kind of money he's going to get.

This post has been edited by Vidya: Jun 5 2009, 08:26 AM

[MtGrizzly]

One thing Erik doesn't do is beat around the bush or be vague. There is nothing subtle in what he says. He really does like it here and wants to stay. What's not to like about Seattle? It's a great city in a great region, with many of the positives any outdoor loving Canadian would love. There's a new management team here and a positive attitude that is 180 degrees from last year.

The only problem right now is management. How much are they willing to risk on him for how many years? Erik may want to stay, but he has an agent that's going to make sure he gets a decent contract. Zduriencik and the FO are simply waiting for the season to unfold and see if he can stay healthy. Right now the indications are very positive, but it's going to take a few more high pitch count games to get the Mariners to commit the kind of money he's going to get.

Too, the have to consider the trade offers that they will field. If someone offers up enough, they will almost have to trade him.

[MfaninAlaska]

Too, the have to consider the trade offers that they will field. If someone offers up enough, they will almost have to trade him.

Yep...

Here's my thought, if they want to keep Bedard, then they need to work out an extension before the trade deadline... otherwise they have to work the trade route hard. Its better to get major league ready players back in return then take a gamble on the draft picks you'd get for him leaving FA.... this team more immediate needs then stockpiling the farm system with draft picks, because not all of those first round draft picks are going to be college players, and not all of them are going to be expected to move thru the system quickly.

If you can't get a good deal, then you hold out for the draft picks, but if you can get a good deal on the trade front that can have more immediate impact, pull the trigger.

[Vidya]

Too, the have to consider the trade offers that they will field. If someone offers up enough, they will almost have to trade him.

Certainly if the offer is good enough almost anyone except for Felix or Ichiro would be traded. I would guess that we could get a little more for Washburn than Bedard right now, due to the injury concerns. Then again, Washburn just had another start delayed, and Bedard went 115 pitches in his last start.

A lot depends on what happens in June and early July. I don't see any major trades until July, at least for the Mariners, especially concerning starting pitchers. Both have injury concerns, so that is a huge factor.

Also, if it looks like Bedard is worth extending, the price it's going to take to get him is going to be much higher than Washburn's.

[Sandy - Raleigh]

Honestly, if you're building a team that is defense/pitching, then you really need to push to extend Bedard.

I would definitely be shopping Washburn hard as a sell-high lefty pitcher. EVERY team needs reliable starting pitching, and Wash not only is having a great season, he's also got previous playoff experience. He's not going to draw a Sabathia package, but I suspect many teams might be interested because he's lefty, reliable, experienced, and at this point isn't overly expensive.

[MfaninAlaska]

Certainly if the offer is good enough almost anyone except for Felix or Ichiro would be traded. I would guess that we could get a little more for Washburn than Bedard right now, due to the injury concerns. Then again, Washburn just had another start delayed, and Bedard went 115 pitches in his last start.

A lot depends on what happens in June and early July. I don't see any major trades until July, at least for the Mariners, especially concerning starting pitchers. Both have injury concerns, so that is a huge factor.

Also, if it looks like Bedard is worth extending, the price it's going to take to get him is going to be much higher than Washburn's.

I have a feeling the trade market is going to be earlier then expected... teams that aren't expecting to compete are going to want to shed money as quickly as they can, and get some younger guys as much playing time as possible to adjust to the major league play.

McLouth already started some of the trade process and now Atlanta and Boston seem to be talking about a swap for Brad Penny with Francouer's name being involved.

[MtGrizzly]

Honestly, if you're building a team that is defense/pitching, then you really need to push to extend Bedard.
expensive.

Depends on the return, doesn't it? If you can get a good, young MIF and some prospects you have to think about it. I just can't see this team making the kind of positive steps it needs with the YuBet-Lopez combo up the middle. One of them has got to go, preferably for a LH hitting guy that can play good D.

[lisa mariner]

Honestly, if you're building a team that is defense/pitching, then you really need to push to extend Bedard.

I agree.
I was somewhat surprised at Erik's answer re: re-signing ...
not so much that he said that he would like to (what else is a guy going to say who is still currently on the team) but the fact that he did not hesitate one bit - it was a FIRM "Yes." And, maybe he's just a good actor, but he truly sounded sincere when he said "I love Seattle."

[warner28]

One possibility if he truly does love Seattle is to trade him in July then try to sign him in the offseason.


I would try to get a deal done but just because you deal him to a contender (assuming Seattle is out of the race) does not mean you can't let him know that he is a top priority in the offseason.

[bladestunner316]

Buster Olney mentioned on Brock and Saulk that the WhiteSox Gm might be interested in an unnamed mariner starting pitcher. What could we get from Chicago?

[Gomez]

A typical haul for a good pitcher is three prospects of varying potential, one close to the Majors.

[Vidya]

If we're still in contention at the trade deadline, I don't see the team trading Bedard at all. Wasburn maybe, but it would be to get a player that can help now, like a really good middle infielder, and maybe a good pitching prospect, like Vargas. It amazes me how many posters assume we will be buried deep come trade deadline time.

I don't see taking the risk of trading a player and trying to sign him later in the next FA period. How often does that happen? I don't ever remember it happening to anyone significant, so feel free to site examples. I wouldn't have a problem with signing Bedard before the trade deadline, and I'm sure he would consider it if the offer was right. I just doubt that Zduriencik will do that. Maybe if he consistently goes 110+ pitches per game, that would get him to do it.

This post has been edited by Vidya: Jun 5 2009, 04:02 PM

[shields]

I would guess that we could get a little more for Washburn than Bedard right now, due to the injury concerns.

Bedard's profile as a top of the rotation starter certainly outweighs any durability concerns when it comes to comparing Bedard and Wash. Washburn, no matter how shiney his ERA is, will not bring in more than Bedard unless Bedard gets hurt while wearing M's colors.

One possibility if he truly does love Seattle is to trade him in July then try to sign him in the offseason.

That would be the dream scenario, but it rarely happens with big names. Still worth a shot.

Buster Olney mentioned on Brock and Saulk that the WhiteSox Gm might be interested in an unnamed mariner starting pitcher. What could we get from Chicago?

I think Poreda, Richard and Allen would be the most likely deal. It would be awesome to get Gordon Beckham but that seems very very unlikely. Josh Fields' value has taken a hit, maybe he would find his way into a deal.

[OBF]

Bedard's profile as a top of the rotation starter certainly outweighs any durability concerns when it comes to comparing Bedard and Wash. Washburn, no matter how shiney his ERA is, will not bring in more than Bedard unless Bedard gets hurt while wearing M's colors.



That would be the dream scenario, but it rarely happens with big names. Still worth a shot.



I think Poreda, Richard and Allen would be the most likely deal. It would be awesome to get Gordon Beckham but that seems very very unlikely. Josh Fields' value has taken a hit, maybe he would find his way into a deal.

We have cornered the market on Relievers named Sean (or Shawn), might as well start collecting Josh Fields' to

[Joseph]

We have cornered the market on Relievers named Sean (or Shawn), might as well start collecting Josh Fields' to

That made me laugh.