I sensed a sort of malaise on this blog, with Orioles news being so scarce. I’m glad my thoughts on the Mets’ offer for Erik Bedard have stirred up a few readers. Mission accomplished. I was beginning to wonder if everyone had hung a "Gone fishin’" sign on their computers.
Quick revisit: The Dodgers and Angels are capable of blowing away the Mets’ offer, but have they done that yet? The names being thrown around by some of you make for a much better package, but it’s fantasy until there’s a firm offer on the table. Everyone else has put the Orioles on hold. Yes, they can wait, and that’s what they’ve chosen to do. They also could just decide to hold onto Bedard for another season and discover that it’s much harder to trade him with free agency looming after 2009 – and if the unthinkable happens and he struggles next season or is injured.
I’m also not going to put Bedard in Johan Santana’s company. Check the 19- and 20-win seasons, the All-Star berths, the Cy Young Awards. Saying Bedard is just as good is a tad premature. He could be heading in that direction, but he’s not there yet.
Also, don’t be so quick to dismiss Philip Humber as some sort of bust. The guy was the third overall pick in 2004 and is two years removed from Tommy John surgery. His first major league start came in late September. Are we really judging him this harshly already?
Maybe I just want the Orioles to wind up with a Rice pitcher, one way or the other.
Possible landing spot for former Orioles pitcher Kris Benson: Kansas City.
The Royals need another starter, though they’re first choice appears to be Japan’s Hiroki Kuroda, who is 103-89 with a 3.69 ERA in 11 seasons. They’re also considering Carlos Silva, Matt Clement and Jason Jennings, among others. But Benson reportedly is on their list.
I’m still blown away that the Yankees gave Jorge Posada a four-year, $52.4 million deal. He’ll turn 40 in the final year of his contract. Aging catchers don’t usually increase in value, though Posada apparently has.
How long before he’s moved to first base?
Oh yeah, and so much for all that talk about players leaving the Bronx out of loyalty to Joe Torre. Money talks, and catchers in their late 30s are especially eager to listen.
Reliever Antonio Alfonseca might not be the only 12-digit pitcher in the majors next year. Oneli Perez, the White Sox’s Double-A closer last season, leads the Dominican Winter League in saves and could win a job in spring training. Must be the extra finger on each hand.
How would you have proceeded with your day without knowing this?