Just when you thought it can't get any worse ... it might

by duck on Sep 3, 2007 3:14 PM EDT in News & Rumors

Erik Bedard may not pitch again this year.

That wonderful piece of news was buried in a story on The (Baltimore) Sun's website concerning Kurt Birkins' first start tonight. Specifically, it said:

Trembley acknowledged he has no idea when injured ace Erik Bedard will be able to pitch again. Because of a strained right oblique muscle, Bedard, the major league leader in strikeouts, hasn't picked up a baseball since starting Aug. 26 against the Minnesota Twins. Bedard likely will return to Baltimore and see a team doctor later this week.

Asked if it's possible that Bedard won't pitch again this season, Trembley said: "That's not what he wants. He wants to pitch again. Whether he'll be able to hasn't been determined."

When posed the same question, Orioles vice president Jim Duquette said: "You can't predict that. I just know it's not getting any better."

Just wonderful. Go O's. And take The Gnats with you.

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o jesus

Just do whatever it takes to keep him healthy for next year. WHATEVER IT TAKES. We need him to be at the top of his game.

Jeremy Guthrie is better then you! Go to hell Paul Shuey!

by westcoastOfan on Sep 3, 2007 3:48 PM EDT reply actions

I can't tell which is worse

this season or 2005, it's pretty damn close.

by nesloq on Sep 3, 2007 5:54 PM EDT reply actions

Wooooooooot!!!111one!!elven!

by Baltimo on Sep 3, 2007 5:58 PM EDT reply actions

injury bug

That is bedard's one flaw.

by birdman on Sep 3, 2007 6:11 PM EDT reply actions

This is a blessing in disguise.

We need to sign Bedard to a long-term contract, and we need to do it ASAP.

Compare these two conversation scenarios in October:

MacPhail: Here's 4 years, $60M. With an option for a fifth year.

Bedard: Screw you, I just won 17 games, and I was the runner up for Cy Young.

MacPhail: Er, um. er......How about $20M a year?

vs.

MacPhail: Here's 3 years, $39M. With an option for a fourth year.

Bedard: Screw you, I just won 13 games, and I would have been the runner up for Cy Young if I hadn't been injured again.

MacPhail: Ahh, there's the rub. You've never made it a whole season without being injured, have you? Tell you what. We'll go 4 years, $60M, with an option for a fifth. If you won't take that, then you'll be here at your current measly contract through all next season and the season following. That's two years where you could be getting what you're worth if you sign, but instead we'll be underpaying you like crazy. It's also two years where every visit to the DL will make potential suitors worry about you even more. Do you wanna take that chance? Your stock might go up, but it'd be pretty easy for it to go down as well. This season will be tough to match.

Bedard: Hmm. I'll take the 4y/$15M if you include a clause that says I never have to talk to Roch in the dugout.

Me likey version 2.

I was once a kind and honest orthodontist experimenting with electric brainwave stimulation.