Bedard Trade Pays Big for O's
Every time the Orioles visit SafeCo Field in Seattle, I can't help but wonder if the Mariners cringe at the thought of what they gave up to the O's two years ago.
At the time, the M's were coming off an 88-win season and saw Erik Bedard as the missing piece they needed to make a playoff push in 2008. There's no question he's a phenomenal left-handed pitcher.
But, no one player is worth what the Mariners gave up to get Bedard. It was a five-for-one deal.
Granted, at the time, nobody knew exactly how well the trade would fare for the Birds. Andy MacPhail went for strength in numbers.
Maybe it was luck, or maybe it was good scouting, but boy did it work out in the Orioles' favor.
Here's who the O's recieved, and how they've faired since coming to Baltimore in the winter of 2008:
Adam Jones---2009 AL All-Star
George Sherill---2008 AL All-Star
Kam Mickolio---Recalled from AAA Norfolk July 6th where he hasn't given up an earned run in his last seven outings.
Chris Tillman---Will play in the XM Futures All-Star Game next week
Tony Butler---Recovering from shoulder surgery with Delmarva
I'd say two All-Stars, a hard throwing reliever, and a pitching prospect playing in the Futures All-Star game are pretty good gets. MacPhail can put that trade in the win column.
Meanwhile Erik Bedard gets the start tomorrow against the Birds. He's battled injuries for the past two years since leaving Baltimore and has had three stints on the disabled list.
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Categories (click for archive)Amber Theoharis | MASNblogs |
all that and seattle still has a better record then the O's
this is for sure a wining team
Perhaps the more interesting question is whether George Sherrill and/or Adam Jones would be All Stars if they had remained in Seattle.
As a M's fan. I hated the trade when the rumors were flying, still hate the trade because of what we gave up. I could have swallowed 3-1, maybe 4-1, both minus Tillman, but 5-1 is way too much.
Do I think the O's won the trade? Sure do.
But I think your analysis is slightly skewed:
1. Sherill - reliable closer, was a legit all-star last year 28sv prior to classic(2nd). This year 7th in saves = no all-star invitation. (Still +2 for O's)
2. Jones - stud five tool OF, nice stats his year, but no better than Johnny Damon other than a few more singles up the middle. J.Damon all-star = NO. Jones All-star? not yet, shouldn't be this year but know he will be in the near future. Shin Soo-Chin another ex-M's prospect very similar to Jones, but no all star invitation. *my point the political correctness of having each team represented,in my opinion, is no good. If you team is at the bottom of the barrel(Rays and Royals of the past) should not get a free all-star. Yes the M's stunk it up last year and were at the bottom of the barrel, but Ichiro is legit and produces every year. Do I think A. Bailey of the A's is an all-star this year? NO, Aardsma and Sherill are both better statistically.
(+1 for O's because I think he is going to be a baseball stud)
3.Kam M. Don't know his progress, sounds good yet proven (even)
4.Tillman. M's pitcher of year prior to trade. yet to hear bad news (+1 O's)
5. Butler. Development project recently injured(even)
O's total +4
Bedard - Often injured, good when he wants to be, solid when he pitches, tons of talent. Must show he can stay healthy for big contract. (+1 M's)
So what did we learn? We know the O's won the trade, (+3/4 O's vs +1 M's) & minus Tillman it would be easier to swallow. You need luck in some trades, and the O's got a lot of it, but what's more important for baseball owners...Bill Bavasi is a m*r*n and anything he touches or comes close to fall apart. Pat Gillick is a genius by turning both O's an M's into winners, especially Toronto and Phils with the world series
The trades that worked like the ones Mr. Dempsey mentioned.
Good point. Thinking this trade will go down as a goody! It already has!
Nice article!
Dean Anoia
You made it on MLBTradeRumors!
tHIS IS A GREAT TRADE IF WE WIN WITH THESE PLAYERS!! We havenot won anything yet! We are still in the cellar and not even playing .500 ball. Where are the Mariners? Bedard beats us everytime he pitches against us! And he probably will tonight! Sherrill and Jones are All stars because who
else would be chosen? They shine just enough to get recognition. Mariners have the best pitching in the AL.. Where are the o's? Maybe just maybe the mariners didnot need these players to play winning baseball. Evidently not.
I agree, would either of these players be All-stars if the league didn't require that every team be represented? The label of an all-star is over rated in baseball. Erik Bedard isn't going to make the All-star team, neither is Russel Branyan and they are both have MUCH better seasons than either Sherril or Jones. I think this is a trade that will ultimately work out great for both teams as the Mariners have a fantastic rotation and the O's got a lot of peices that should help them build a solid team for the next several years. I don't think it's as one sided as people think, but the O's get the edge because of Tillman.
John, You're way off on your comparison of Johnny Damon and Adam Jones. While Damon is still an excellent player, Jones has already passed him, primarily because he a much, much better defender. Everyone in baseball knows that Damon has a weak arm and will take the extra base on him, but Jones has such a strong arm that Nick Markakis says it's the strongest of any Oriole outfielder including himself!
While Damon can still chase down balls in the outfield, he's still a step slower than Adam and doesn't make as many great plays. So another plus for Jonesy.
Yes, Damon's offensive numbers are slightly better, with the exception of batting average, where Jones is a solid 20 points better (.305 to .285), but as an all round player--which is what being an All-Star is supposed to be about--Adam clearly is more deserving.
Amber: You probably know this, but I figured I'd pass it along: Luke Scott has tied a Safeco Field record for RBI in a game.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/play-index/shareit/F6Hw
On another note, have you ever seen an umpire so zealous or demonstrative in his called strikeouts as this character tonight? He's going to throw his shoulder out.