The Erik Bedard deal certainly looks as though it’s going to get done, though the club won’t make an announcement without the physicals being completed. Nothing is final until then, and the Orioles don’t issue press releases that confirm they’ve reached an agreement “pending a physical.” Some clubs do it. Not this one.
Now comes the next question: What about Brian Roberts?
Any transaction involving Roberts must include a young impact hitter. Ronny Cedeno doesn’t qualify, and you won’t fill a room with people who believe Matt Murton fits that description. Some people view Sean Gallagher as a No. 3 or 4 starter. Nothing wrong with that. Every team needs one. But I’d rather keep Roberts than accept those three players in return.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but an outfield of Jones, Pie and Nick Markakis works for me. I’ve heard some fans and media types compare the alignment to Brady Anderson, Mike Devereaux and Steve Finley, though that group wasn’t initially expected to provide the same power. (Nobody was projecting Anderson to hit 50 homers and Finley to hit 30 or more in four seasons).