The trade for Erik Bedard is not official, and probably won't be until the end of the week. It appears the Orioles brought Jones into Baltimore to check out his hip, and assuming that goes well, Bedard should be in Seattle by Monday. What happened earlier this week was probably just miscommunication by Jones and the reporters in Venezuela. Still, it seems like a deal will get done. Yes Orioles owner and "co-GM" Peter Angelos has to sign off on the trade but I think the Orioles realize that if they do not make a trade soon, the offers will only get worse. By trading Bedard, they clear up money to make a splash in the upcoming off seasons that feature better talent.According to one MLB executive, the Brian Roberts trade to the Cubs hinges on the Erik Bedard trade. He believes that the trade would send Felix Pie, Sean Gallagher, and one minor league prospect to the Orioles for Roberts. Another good move for the Orioles, who would then have a solid lineup that has the potential to be very good in the future. Not only that, but they would clear up even more money, and ship out a possible distraction because Roberts' name was featured in the Mitchell Report. Here is what their lineup would like that after the two trades:
DH Aubrey Huff
C Ramon Hernandez
1B Kevin Millar
2B Eider Torres/Minor Leaguer
3B Melvin Mora
SS Luis Hernandez
LF Adam Jones/Luke Scott
CF Adam Jones/Felix Pie
RF Nick Markakis
SP Daniel Cabrera
SP Sean Gallagher
SP Adam Loewen
SP Troy Patton
SP Jeremy Guthrie/Matt Albers
I don't think they will be surprising anyone in the division in 2008, but they might be able to compete with the Blue Jays for third if some of the guys live up to their potential. Trading Roberts puts a hole at second base, and it is possible that prospect Eider Torres would take over, but probably unlikely. Don't read to much into this, it is still a long way from being over.
More later...