Let's Get Bedarded in Here

How long before we start seeing "Can't Spell Erik Without a 'K'" T-shirts?

After the Rich Harden deal fell apart due to concerns over his health, the Sox went after another Canadian born pitcher. As part of a three team deal, they acquired Erik Bedard. They dealt C Tim Federowicz, RHP Juan Rodriguez and RHP Stephen Fife to the Dodgers in exchange for minor leaguers OF Trayvon Robinson and OF Chih-Hsien Chiang. The Sox then sent Robinson and Chiang to Seattle for Bedard. Righty Josh Fields was packaged along with Bedard.

Fields was drafted by Seattle with the 20th overall pick of the 2008 draft. He's a 25 year old reliever just promoted from AA to AAA Tacoma.

Bedard is obviously the main event of the deal. The Sox need pitching to fill out their rotation. Buchholz was just placed on the 60 Day DL and his recovery has hit some roadblocks.

Bedard's been plagued by injury problems the past few years. He hasn't tossed a full season of work since 2007. He hasn't even thrown 100+ innings since 2007. He missed the entire 2010 season. And he was sidelines for a month with a sprained left knee. He made his return to Seattle's rotation Friday night, struggling through 1.1 innings and allowing 5 runs.

However, when healthy, he is a legitimate frontline starter. On the season, he has a 4-7 record (remember, this is Seattle, who have saddled Felix Hernandez with a 9-9 record) and a 3.45 ERA. But those numbers don't tell the whole story. He struggled in April, starting the season 0-4 with a 7.71 ERA. Since April 27th, he's gone 4-3 with a 2.34 ERA. That ERA includes his 1.1 inning, 5 run debacle on Friday.

Nine of his last 11 starts have been Quality Starts.

This is a good move. Bedard may end of on the DL by early September, but if he doesn't... Well, he's not just an upgrade over Andrew Miller. He solidifies the top of the Red Sox rotation.

His first start is slated to be Friday night against the Yankees. Welcome to Boston, Mr. Bedard.

-The Commodore

Red Sox Looking To Deal For Erik Bedard

"The Red Sox, reports FOXSports.com, are "all over" M's lefty Erik Bedard and will scout his first start off the disabled list Friday. Boston is not alone, however, as the rival Yankees have interest, too (ESPN)."

Bedard would really help this team right now if he can stay healthy, but that always is a question with Bedard. If the Red Sox could eventually get Buchholz back to 100% and bring in Bedard they would have one filthy rotation heading into the playoffs.

Lester
Beckett
Buchholz
Bedard
Lackey

And since you don't need a 5th starter in the playoffs I would feel fantastic about their chances of winning it all. I agree with what DP said earlier, this might be the best Red Sox team I have ever seen, and they can get this rotation right they will be unstoppable.

Bedard Injury Update

Bedard had a pain-free throwing session 10 days ago, which was encouraging, but his bullpen session scheduled for today has been canceled. Many people are seeing this as a bad sign, but not Seattle's trainer...

"He's so far ahead of (where) he's supposed to be," head trainer Rick Griffin said. "It was supposed to be 10 months to a year, and we're only at seven months. He's doing very well, He's still far ahead of where he's supposed to be. What we're doing is making sure there's no setbacks. We want him to progress on a steady line, and he's been doing that so far."

I still don't like it. There were rumors that he could be back in May, but now it is sounding more like June/July. Stay away from this guy unless it is real late in your draft. You just don't know when he will actually be on the field, how long he will be able to stay out there, or if this Seattle team is going to be able to put up enough runs to support him.

Bedard To Have Another Surgery

"Mariners SP Erik Bedard is having another surgery on his throwing shoulder, all but ending his season and perhaps his time with Seattle. Manager Don Wakamatsu said Wednesday that Bedard will have exploratory surgery on Friday in Los Angeles with Dr. Lewis Yocum, who removed a cyst from Bedard's shoulder in September. Wakamatsu said the procedure will inspect a frayed labrum and examine the joint. "Unless they find something (else), it would be considered minor," Wakamatsu said. Bedard said Friday this discomfort is coming from the top of his shoulder, puzzling and frustrating him. Wakamatsu said the Mariners' medical staff suspects this latest pain may be from impingement - pressure on the rotator cuff (Sportsline)."

This is Bedard's contract year, so this is really going to hurt him. He just can't stay on the field, which is really too bad, because when he does play he is a top 10 pitcher in the AL. Some team will take the risk and grab him next year, but I just don't see him getting the money he wants. Whoever does grab him better have a deep rotation, because there is just no way this guy will ever make it through an entire season...

Bedard Out Of The Year?

It is really starting to sound like it...

"The Seattle News Tribune speculates that Erik Bedard’s injury-marred career with the Seattle Mariners might end without him taking the mound again this season, with the veteran lefty’s ailing left shoulder shutting him down once again. Bedard won’t throw again before undergoing an MRI exam in Seattle on Friday, which will be compared to an earlier MRI of the shoulder. “Erik’s frustrated – we all are,” manager Don Wakamatsu said. “He wants to come back, we want him back, but the No. 1 thing is, we want to get to the bottom of this. He will be a free agent in November (Sportsline)."

Bedard is lights out when he plays. The problem is he never plays, or at least never makes it through a whole season. I drafted him in my Al-Only fantasy baseball league, and I knew this was coming. He is such a pain in the ass.

Seattle is 9 back in their division and 6 1/2 games behind the Red Sox for the Wild Card, so with Bedard most likely out of the year and a terrible offense there is no shot of Seattle making a playoff run.

Fuck Erik Bedard

Yea that's right I said, Fuck him!

This guy is such a pain in the ass. I have him on my AL Only fantasy league and let me tell you he is the most aggravating man in sports. He is soooo good when he plays, the problem is that you never know when he will start.

"Erik Bedard is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, but the Mariners left-hander told the Tacoma News-Tribune that his shoulder still hurts. Bedard has been the subject of various trade rumors, but the News-Tribune reported Sunday that he was off the market. He went back on the disabled list after lasting just three innings Saturday against Cleveland (ESPN)."

He probably will be done for the season, because he likes to do that, which is kind of funny since this is his contract year. Even though it really hurts my fantasy team I hope he is out for the year and fucks any contract he would have got.

Mr. Erik Bedard you have cost yourself you spot on my keepers list.

Bedard Back To The DL

"Oft-injured pitcher Erik Bedard is back on the disabled list for the Seattle Mariners with inflammation in his left shoulder. The move was made Sunday morning, and Seattle recalled left-hander Jason Vargas from Triple-A Tacoma to take Bedard's spot on the 25-man roster. Vargas was scheduled to start Sunday's series finale against Cleveland. Bedard complained of discomfort in his shoulder following his start Saturday, when he lasted just three innings and threw 81 pitches in Seattle's 10-3 loss to the Indians. Bedard met with manager Don Wakamatsu and general manager Jack Zduriencik after Saturday's game and was later examined by team physician Dr. Edward Khalfayan. The team plans for rest and medication as Bedard's treatment this time (Sportsline)."

There is honestly no player more aggravating then Bedard. Some people might say J.D. Drew, but even Drew isn't hurt this much, and he also doesn't have the same kind of talent. When Bedard is healthy he is a top 10 pitcher in the AL, but it really don't matter since he plays less then half the season. Seattle needs to get rid of this guy, but now they can't even trade him, so he is just going to ride out his contract and leave. Some people will grab him in the offseason, because he is so good when he does play, but I can't see any team banking on him to be a top of the rotation guy ever again.

If you are picking up some anger it is because he is on my fantasy team, and I want him dead.

Bedard To Miss Next Start

"Mariners left-hander Erik Bedard will likely miss his next scheduled start Saturday night in Boston. Seattle manager Don Wakamatsu said Thursday that Bedard is a probable scratch because of a tight right hamstring. Wakamatsu said he should be able to make a decision on Friday (Sportsline)."

Good news for the Sox, bad news for my fantasy. The injury doesn't sound too serious, but Seattle really needs Bedard to stay healthy. he has been having a nice comeback year, but he can dissolve quickly since he has been since an injury plauged pitcher over most of his career. Bedard is 2-1 with a 2.53 ERA for Seattle this year, and as of right now it looks like he will miss just one start.