Not so fast

by zknower on Jan 28, 2008 5:13 PM EST in News Comment 33 comments

Consider this the Bedard update update.

Good God, it never ends.

According to mlb.com, this trade is far from done. Either that or there is some major-league posturing going on....

Andy MacPhail, Baltimore's president of operations, reiterated Monday afternoon that there is no trade in place and that he's not sure where the rumors originated. That denial, issued in the face of repeated requests for comment, lends new perspective to a story that has steadily built over the last 36 hours.

"As I said last night, we don't have an agreement with Seattle or any other team," he said. "I'm not expecting anything in the next few days and I'd be surprised if anything developed in the next few days."

MacPhail dealt with the same issue weeks ago in regards to a potential trade of second baseman Brian Roberts to the Cubs. The executive stood his ground that time and punched holes in that rumor, and he seemed poised to repeat the process on Monday. As of now, Bedard is still Baltimore property and doesn't appear to be headed anywhere.

Also, just to be clear, the "Sherrill is flying to Baltimore for a physical" rumor has been debunked by Sherrill himself, who says ESPN got it wrong. According to the Seattle PI blog at 10:49 this morning:

George Sherrill, Seattle's left-handed reliever thought to be part of the package, was reported by ESPN.com to be getting ready for a physical exam that would one of the contingencies of the deal.

Sherrill says he hasn't been told anything, he doesn't have any plans to go to Baltimore at this point and he has no idea where that story started.

''ESPN said online that Adam Jones and I are going to Baltimore to take physicals,'' Sherrill said. ''We're not.''

The ESPN story actually said the Jones and Sherrill were preparing to take physicals, which isn't quite the same thing.

Sherrill was quick to point out that he hasn't talked to Jones and doesn't have any inside knowledge of the 22-year-old Seattle outfielder's plans.

''I only know that as of right now, I haven't been asked to go for a physical.''

And then there is the Chris Tillman saga. A spokesman for his agent said the Mariners have not told Tillman he's been traded.

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I don't get it....

If he is being truthful why are all these guys being flown around for physicals, if not why deny it three times in 24 hours?

Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three times out of ten and be considered a good performer. ~Ted Williams

by Baltimo on Jan 28, 2008 5:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

All these rumors

Are actually making me just want this trade to be over and done with. Originally I really didn't want to see Bedard go, but this is getting old.

by Pack Man on Jan 28, 2008 5:20 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

more importantly

why is Bavasi going around saying he's confident the deal is done? or whatever it was he said...

man this is just retarded now. what gives?? this one was as good as done! andy macphail single-handedly reverses ESPN, MLB.com, the Sun, the Seattle news sources... i've never seen anything like this before.

by dan the man on Jan 28, 2008 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Wet Blanket

Repost from thread before this one was broken out...

Did anyone recall all this drama when the A's traded Haren? Seems like they targeted players and bam, it was done. The O's have to pick at their navels for weeks trying to come to a decision. Then they decide not to decide and call it off. Same old vacillating shit we're used to seeing.

They may yet just pick up a Baez equivalent and call it an off season. You'd be perplexed and certainly deflated, but deep down, would you really be surprised?

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Jan 28, 2008 5:24 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

That sound? That sound you just heard?

That was the camel's back breaking.

Ok, maybe not, but COME ON. I know, I know, playing it close to the vest, etc etc. Sack up and do a f'ing deal. If they keep pulling this half-way there crap then pulling out NOBODY is gonna deal with us.

by KenDixonFanClub on Jan 28, 2008 5:31 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

i wonder if

eric bedard will be traded.

somebody should blog about it.

by thewaywardO on Jan 28, 2008 5:33 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

point taken

but at least we're not OH, actually announcing a trade that hasn't happened.

It's just a question of arrogant self-entitlement against drunken limp-dicked self-loathing--DaBB

by zknower on Jan 28, 2008 5:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

oh don't get me wrong

i love all this stuff

by thewaywardO on Jan 28, 2008 6:25 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

This is nothing compared to me losing my fucking mind that morning that Girardi was coming by noon and then did not and then MAYBE? but then no.

Gone but not forgotten...

by SC on Jan 28, 2008 7:19 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This bugs me

I really had my hopes up1

BE HAPPY DONT BE SAD THE ORIOLES CANT REALLY BE ALL THAT BAD!

by westcoastOfan on Jan 28, 2008 5:55 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

No rush.

What's being discussed isn't exactly an overwhelming package. We've got a well-regarded prospect in Jones, who is the best they can offer but still isn't some kinda sure thing. We have a 30 year old reliever in Sherrill who won't help us rebuild worth a shit more than likely. And we've got a hard throwing 19 year old pitcher in A-Ball - and they grow on trees. Plus possibly another younger reliever who could factor into the rebuilding.

And all this for one the top lefty starting pitchers in baseball. Not projected top. Proven top. With an insane K-Rate. For two years, for cheap. This is nothing we need to rush into. This is nothing even to feel bad about if it passes by. Simply put, this is not a great deal for us, as it's being reported right now. And there's not reason to disparage "Snail" MacPhail for not pulling the trigger.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Jan 28, 2008 6:03 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I was going to say the same as Jonnypops.

This sort of thing is nothing new. It's still winter, so sports writers need something to write about and organizations feel the need to comment (even when they probably shouldn't).

Now, if the reason a deal is hung up is because of Angelos, then maybe we have reason to worry. But other than that, no. I'll trust McPhail's instincts and knowledge over Bavasi's any day.

by timg56 on Jan 28, 2008 6:46 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

This, +1

I'll trust McPhail's instincts and knowledge over Bavasi's any day.

"Handcuffs and duct tape are not going to get you where you want to go."

by duck on Jan 28, 2008 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

From Seattle PI M's blog

Jones reportedly sent an email to KOMO's Shannon Drayer saying he hasn't left Venezuela, only that he is currently out of the lineup at the Mariners' request.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/baseball/archives/130484.asp

Visiting from Lookout Landing

by wadswerth on Jan 28, 2008 7:08 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What?

That article is horrible - really, truly awful. It states that Sherrill "hasn't been asked to take a physical under the watch of the Orioles medical staff" & then states that Tillman "hasn't been told he's been traded". The two events are so far apart - does that mean Sherrill has been told he's been traded, but not to take a physical yet?

The bit about Jones is even worse - Jones is denying he told anyone he'd been traded. Didn't the interviewer think to ask how in holy f*cking hell a paper got two entire paragraphs attributed to Jones about being traded to Baltimore?!? I mean, being misquoted is one thing - how can you flat-out deny saying ANY of that? That was a long conversation!

Journalism in this day & age is a lost art. It's all about getting statements online as quick as possible without verifying authenticity or fleshing out the story. I shouldn't have more questions after reading your story, right?

Our fans are better than yours.

by OEutaw on Jan 28, 2008 7:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Rosenthal

Angelos holding things up

by birdman on Jan 28, 2008 8:09 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

aw man, my rocky cherry pic isn't showing up

by birdman on Jan 28, 2008 8:10 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This says

Angelos is interested in pursuing an extension with Bedard -- and especially after seeing that underwhelming package from Seattle, so am I.

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Jan 28, 2008 8:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

if ken is right, this is stupid

I can't believe the front office couldn't effectively communicate with Bedard and his agent. It's not a hard question? Erik, do you want to sign an extension with us? Yes, let's negotiate. No, let's trade you.

by birdman on Jan 28, 2008 8:45 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

What would make more sense...

...is if this is posturing to squeeze a better deal out of Seattle. An "Oh yeah, that's your best offer? Maybe we'll just do the extension after all"

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Jan 28, 2008 8:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

posturing

If they're going to lie like this, then this is wrong lie. They should say, "Team X is offering a better package. How about you Jones and either Truinfel or Morrow."

I see two possibilities here.

A) Bedard changed his mind. He told MacPhail that he is not open to extension in October and now wants to stay because he does not want to play for the Mariners.

B) Bedard told MacPhail that he wanted to sign an extension in October but MacPhail is lying about what Erik told him in October. MacPhail is lying now because he wants to trade Bedard and doesn't want any public fallout.

by birdman on Jan 28, 2008 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

re:

I have to believe that MacPhail has the integrity to make option (B) laughable.

How about option (C). Bedard gives a public interview where he in effect says "I don't want part of this rebuilding crap, but I also never had talks about an extension". It's a attempt to point the finger at MacPhail and shift the blame away from himself. A certain owner's ears perk up at the baloney and months bargaining are shot down due to a false hope that Bedard really does like playing for his shitty franchise.

Also, isn't it Angelos who stated that a pitcher would never be worth more than $12 million (maybe it was $15 million) per year because they only play once every five days. Do you think the same guy will put forth a really competitive deal?

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Jan 28, 2008 9:24 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

If it's posturing...

it better be MacPhail's idea. Because if PGA's still pulling this veto crap, I'm out. We'll never get better.

One thing Art Modell did, as loathed as he may be in Cleveland, was hand Ozzie Newsome the keys and said, "Build a winner." He'd tried his hand at building that team, and Andre Rison's team breaking contract was the result. He learned his lesson, and sat back and watched as Newsome built a Super Bowl winner.

It's time PGA learned the lesson Modell did in 1996.

"Handcuffs and duct tape are not going to get you where you want to go."

by duck on Jan 28, 2008 9:09 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I hate this.

It hurts my head.

by Stacey on Jan 28, 2008 9:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

I hate this.

And I want to hurt PGA's head.

oriolesupdate.blogspot.com

by BrianS on Jan 28, 2008 9:18 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it.

There's nothing like a good, protracted haggling session. I just wish I was part of it!

"Everyone always says 'You don't have to do this.'"

by Jonnypops on Jan 28, 2008 9:32 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I like it IF a deal still gets made...

...but I really like it if it results in a better package. Adam Jones is a stud and I love the thought of him and Nick in the same OF. That being said, I think the rest of the package is very iffy. Maybe this'll improve it.

by KenDixonFanClub on Jan 28, 2008 9:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

this is a real bunch of shit

We will not sign Bedard to an extension.

I now don't think we'll trade Bedard to Seattle, because this has dragged on too long. The Mets could step back in if they can't get a Santana deal done, but I doubt we'll see him moved.

Angelos deserves to be massacred in the media if it comes out that he vetoed anything.

MacPhail might just tell the Orioles to stick it up their ass if he feels he doesn't have control. But I doubt that's how this will pan out; Angelos has final say, he's the owner. MacPhail knew that. What I think MacPhail really wanted to know coming in was he wouldn't have to go to Angelos, you know, three or four steps before the point he did in this instance, which has been hamstringing us for years.

Gone but not forgotten...

by SC on Jan 28, 2008 10:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

re:

Current rumors (Churchill) is that Angelos was angered by leaks and stopped the deal. How lame is that? My 8 year old is more mature.

If Angelos rumors are true, and MacPhail was given the round about, I hope he resigns this week. He doesn't strike me as the kind of guy who needs this job, nor the type to put up with the bullshit.

It sure would send a message to us and let us know loud and clear what went down. Plus, you guys that didn't get to live through this with Gillick, Johnson, and Wren can now get a taste of what Angelos is all about. It isn't pretty.

"This is Birdland"

by drj on Jan 28, 2008 11:03 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs