Mariners still alive in Bedard hunt

[JTrea81]

And for Santana as well according to this blurb in the Boston Globe:

Sources inside the Mariners organization still indicate they're alive on Santana and Baltimore's Erik Bedard. There's a lot of disappointment in Seattle over losing the Hiroki Kuroda bidding with the Dodgers. He was clearly the best of the available free agent pitchers, which forced the Mariners to sign former Twin Carlos Silva to a four-year, $48 million deal that is hard to figure. Do the Mariners have the pieces to land Santana and Bedard? Among Adam Jones, Brendan Morrow, and catching prospect Jeff Clement, they probably do. But the issue is: Can they satisfy Santana's contract demands? In a division where the Angels have improved, the Mariners are feeling some pressure to do something big.

http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/articles/2007/12/23/perry_cuts_to_the_chase/?page=4

Considering Santana wouldn't want to extend in Seattle, I think they'd rather go after Bedard. Good news for us that Bavasi is feeling pressured...

[Pedro Cerrano]

Must...have...Adam...Jones. No exceptions. After that I'm somewhat flexible (not to sound TOO much like AM), but I really think that if we are trading a sure-fire ace, we should get back a top-tier prospect.

As for Erik possibly extending with the Mariners, it probably can't hurt that Seattle is close to Canada, even if it's the part of Canada on the opposite side of where he is from...

[centralpaosfan]

This article doesn't have any quotes to support the statement. I believe, like many articles, this is just one writer giving his opinion on things. Sports writers need to pump out articles or they won't have a job. Seems to me this was something put out to meet his deadline.

[JTrea81]

This article doesn't have any quotes to support the statement. I believe, like many articles, this is just one writer giving his opinion on things. Sports writers need to pump out articles or they won't have a job. Seems to me this was something put out to meet his deadline.

Considering this is a Boston paper, you won't find any quotes, just that the beat reporter talked to some sources either in the Mariners FO, or outside it that have info on the trade talks. He's just saying they are still in it and that they are feeling pressured to do something, that's all. After all the bad news we've gotten regarding the talks, it's nice to see something reassuring...

[Sandwich Pick]

Jones, Clement, Sherrill, and Butler and you've got a deal.

I'm flexible with the 3rd/4th guy(s). I'd prefer we drop this rumored demand for Morrow and take 2 "lesser" guys as I think Morrow is slightly overrated. I really hope we can get a deal with the M's done. I really like Jones and think Brignac for Clement is very possible.

[OsandBohs11]

I do not want Sherill at all, we already have Walker as a LH specialist. Seattle's prospects are just awkward for us. I want Jones, but Iwould want Wlad Balentien as well, but we wouldn't have a space for him cuz of Luke Scott, although Balentien I'm sure would start because hes a monster. Luke Scott would be a great 4th OFer, but maybe if we flipped him in the deal we could get more.

[centralpaosfan]

Considering this is a Boston paper, you won't find any quotes, just that the beat reporter talked to some sources either in the Mariners FO, or outside it that have info on the trade talks. He's just saying they are still in it and that they are feeling pressured to do something, that's all. After all the bad news we've gotten regarding the talks, it's nice to see something reassuring...

good point...i agree this is nice to hear

[Pruke]

I still think Bedard is dealt before spring training but I also think we'll need Seattle to put together a no-brainer package that allows us to move away from discussing trades for Erik.

[JTrea81]

More info from the Mariners' offer from the Chicago Tribune:

They are continuing to talk to Baltimore about Erik Bedard as well.The package of talent they're shopping includes kid center fielder Adam Jones, catcher-DH Jeff Clement and second baseman Yung Chi Chen. The Twins and Orioles probably also would want Brandon Morrow in any deal with the Mariners.

http://chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/cs-071224rogers,1,2075550.column?coll=cs-cubs-headlines

This is the first time I've seen Chen's name mentioned.

Here's his stats:

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/C/yung-chen.shtml

He might make a decent replacement for Roberts. He doesn't have a ton of power, but has a good OBP.

[hoosiers]

I mentioned Chen a few months ago. I'd take him as a 3-5 part of this deal, but I'd prefer Butler, Tillman and Triunfel to Chen.

[Boof]

I mentioned Chen a few months ago. I'd take him as a 3-5 part of this deal, but I'd prefer Butler, Tillman and Triunfel to Chen.

Any relation to Bruce?

[JTrea81]

This is also the first confirmation in print that Jones and Clement are a package together. It shouldn't take much more than that to pull the trigger.

[clapdiddy]

This is also the first confirmation in print that Jones and Clement are a package together. It shouldn't take much more than that to pull the trigger.

Agreed. If we can somehow get a package that includes both Jones and Clement, plus Chen and maybe Tillman...I think we have to go for it.

[Sports Guy]

This is also the first confirmation in print that Jones and Clement are a package together. It shouldn't take much more than that to pull the trigger.

Bigbird said this a week or 2 ago.

Jones, Clement, Sherrill and a 4th player...The 4th player is/was the hangup.

If the Orioles are demanding that 4th player to be Morrow, they are being ridiculous.

Ask for Tillman, Triunfel or even this guy Chen looks ok.

Then flip Clement elsewhere and just be done with it.

[B-more]

Agreed. If we can somehow get a package that includes both Jones and Clement, plus Chen and maybe Tillman...I think we have to go for it.

I agree. I like Morrow but Tillman can be that high ceiling pitcher we'd need back for Bedard. I think the Reds havent made a decent offer yet. I think AM is keeping them in it to see if it will push Seattle to throw up their offer.