Pretty negative way to look at things. We replace Weaver/HoRam with Bedard/Silva. I'd say that will save us a few horrible starts. Sure the defense took a blow losing Jones, but starting pitching was our downfall all last year. Will the offense be as productive? Probably not. But the starting rotation is surely better and the bullpen will be solid once again. I should also mention that Safeco is a pitchers favorite friend.
USS mariner is just another fan except he's got his own site. I don't hold his takes as any more important than I would another fans posting around the net.
As an M's fan I like the trade. Jones is big league ready but aside from Sherill that's all the O's got that is. If the trade is as is being reported right now as Jones, Tillman, Sherill, Mickolio and Butler then I think it's a good deal. Jones is going to be a good pro but an elite one? doubt it and it's no lock that he's even a good one, but Bedards a proven top of the rotation guy and they're harder to come by then are good outfielders. Sherill had very good numbers but he's hardly irreplacable. Tillman and Butler are both a while away from making the jump so whether they make it or not is a ?. Mickolio isn't a highly thought of prospect. To get Bedard especially if the M's can lock him up for for longer than the 2 on his contract without losing Triunfel, Clement or Morrow along with Jones is a coup, one I didn't have the faith that Bavasi could pull off without fawkin it up.
No question the M's have holes and this move doesn't solve everything or guarantee a playoff run but with some good seasons and some bounce back years at least it gives them a better look than they've had in the last few seasons. Come 09 it really helps as some big contracts come off the books and some holes can be addressed in fa and they can really try to make a push. Now if there's an extension so much the better and this rotations going to be a stength for years.
As an M's fan I like the trade. Jones is big league ready but aside from Sherill that's all the O's got that is. If the trade is as is being reported right now as Jones, Tillman, Sherill, Mickolio and Butler then I think it's a good deal. Jones is going to be a good pro but an elite one? doubt it and it's no lock that he's even a good one, but Bedards a proven top of the rotation guy and they're harder to come by then are good outfielders. Sherill had very good numbers but he's hardly irreplacable. Tillman and Butler are both a while away from making the jump so whether they make it or not is a ?. Mickolio isn't a highly thought of prospect. To get Bedard especially if the M's can lock him up for for longer than the 2 on his contract without losing Triunfel, Clement or Morrow along with Jones is a coup, one I didn't have the faith that Bavasi could pull off without fawkin it up.
No question the M's have holes and this move doesn't solve everything or guarantee a playoff run but with some good seasons and some bounce back years at least it gives them a better look than they've had in the last few seasons. Come 09 it really helps as some big contracts come off the books and some holes can be addressed in fa and they can really try to make a push. Now if there's an extension so much the better and this rotations going to be a stength for years.
Why is it going to be so horrible?
Guillen leaves but looks to be replaced by Wilkerson who is a solid run producer. Sexson can't be much worse than he was last season, if he bounces back, the team should be better for it. The rest of the line up is solid enough. Barring any serious injuries it should be as good as last year and likely better if sexson can rebound. The offense wasn't the problem last year. I'll say over.
Source: M's deal for Bedard on hold.. Fox Sports article.
The Mariners' quest to land Orioles lefty Erik Bedard is on hold — and possibly off — due to the involvement of O's owner Peter Angelos, according to major-league sources.
The reasons for Angelos' hesitation are unclear. However, Angelos' first choice is to sign Bedard to a contract extension, according to one source. The owner was under the impression that Bedard was unwilling to consider such a deal, the source says, but recently learned that the pitcher would entertain an offer if the Orioles were willing to extend him at least five years.
The trade amounts to a litmus test for the authority of Andy MacPhail, the Orioles president of baseball operations, who was hired last summer with the understanding that he would operate with autonomy over baseball operations.
Angelos has a history of interfering with his front office over personnel moves. His involvement has caused tension with several prior general managers.
On Monday, MacPhail denied that a deal with Seattle was in place.
"There really is no change. We are still having discussions, but we don't have an agreement," MacPhail said Monday.
MacPhail said he didn't expect that to change "over the next few days," but added, "anything can happen."
On Sunday, the Mariners asked prized outfield prospect Adam Jones to return to the U.S. from winter ball in Venezuela, according to sources, in what appeared to be a strong indication that a deal for Bedard was close. Jones is the centerpiece of the Mariners' offer for Bedard, and the team would not want him to risk injury by continuing to play if the trade was imminent. Jones' Venezuelan Winter League team is currently in the playoffs.
"(Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi) called me yesterday and told me the news," Jones told a reporter from Diario Panorama in Venezuela on Sunday, according to the Times. "I've got to go to Baltimore tomorrow morning and handle things there. I'm the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners' side. It's an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard is."
Jones was called up by the Mariners last August. He hit .246 with two home runs in 65 at-bats. He's expected to compete for a starting job in Seattle's outfield this spring.
The Orioles' trade of Bedard would signal a major reconstruction. Another significant deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts likely would follow. The Cubs remain heavily interested in Roberts, and the Orioles could receive prospects such as pitcher Sean Gallagher and outfielder Felix Pie or veterans such as RHP Jason Marquis and outfielder Matt Murton. Earlier this offseason, the Orioles traded shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Astros for five younger players.
Fox Sports.com
The Mariners' quest to land Orioles lefty Erik Bedard is on hold — and possibly off — due to the involvement of O's owner Peter Angelos, according to major-league sources.
The reasons for Angelos' hesitation are unclear. However, Angelos' first choice is to sign Bedard to a contract extension, according to one source. The owner was under the impression that Bedard was unwilling to consider such a deal, the source says, but recently learned that the pitcher would entertain an offer if the Orioles were willing to extend him at least five years.
The trade amounts to a litmus test for the authority of Andy MacPhail, the Orioles president of baseball operations, who was hired last summer with the understanding that he would operate with autonomy over baseball operations.
Angelos has a history of interfering with his front office over personnel moves. His involvement has caused tension with several prior general managers.
On Monday, MacPhail denied that a deal with Seattle was in place.
"There really is no change. We are still having discussions, but we don't have an agreement," MacPhail said Monday.
MacPhail said he didn't expect that to change "over the next few days," but added, "anything can happen."
On Sunday, the Mariners asked prized outfield prospect Adam Jones to return to the U.S. from winter ball in Venezuela, according to sources, in what appeared to be a strong indication that a deal for Bedard was close. Jones is the centerpiece of the Mariners' offer for Bedard, and the team would not want him to risk injury by continuing to play if the trade was imminent. Jones' Venezuelan Winter League team is currently in the playoffs.
"(Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi) called me yesterday and told me the news," Jones told a reporter from Diario Panorama in Venezuela on Sunday, according to the Times. "I've got to go to Baltimore tomorrow morning and handle things there. I'm the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners' side. It's an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard is."
Jones was called up by the Mariners last August. He hit .246 with two home runs in 65 at-bats. He's expected to compete for a starting job in Seattle's outfield this spring.
The Orioles' trade of Bedard would signal a major reconstruction. Another significant deal involving second baseman Brian Roberts likely would follow. The Cubs remain heavily interested in Roberts, and the Orioles could receive prospects such as pitcher Sean Gallagher and outfielder Felix Pie or veterans such as RHP Jason Marquis and outfielder Matt Murton. Earlier this offseason, the Orioles traded shortstop Miguel Tejada to the Astros for five younger players.
Fox Sports.com
