Schmuck: O's interested in Hairston, M's may non-tender Bedard?

[Andy352]

Would you trade Cabrera for Bedard? At least the games will be a little faster.

[Greg Pappas]

You mean the one that whines about everything and scowls at the media every chance he gets?

He's a PR nightmare....well, maybe that's being a little too hard on him. He's not very nice, we'll put it that way.

But yes, I would welcome him back....but, would he sign back here? I can see the Yanks or Sox or even Toronto (close to home) offering a better situation.

I see these comments as a bit over the top. A whiner? Stand-offish with the media certainly, but he seems like a decent fellow. Some guys are not comfortable in the limelight, but that doesn't make them bad guys. That's how I see it at least.

[Greg Pappas]

I'd love to see him in NY....now, let the Yankees re-sign Ponson and those two can be drinking buddies....headlines in the Post every day!

Uhhhhgh... never mind.

[Frobby]

Bedard's a better pitcher than Burnett in my opinion. But Burnett threw 220 innings last year, whereas Bedard is coming off shoulder surgery. Therefore, Bedard seems a bit riskier than Burnett right now.

[markpolis]

If he's non-tendered he's a free agent, free to sign with any team at any price.

That being the case, if the Orioles are truly interested in Bedard shouldn't they offer Seattle a lower level prospect for Bedard? That way Seattle gets something out of it and we ensure ourselves Bedard. AM should contact Seattle to find out if they are truly considering non-tendering Bedard.

IMO, it's more of a ploy on Seattle's part to see what type of trade value Bedard currently has in the market.

[markpolis]

Bedard's a better pitcher than Burnett in my opinion. But Burnett threw 220 innings last year, whereas Bedard is coming off shoulder surgery. Therefore, Bedard seems a bit riskier than Burnett right now.

Bedard won't cost nearly as much Burnett.

[Fan4Life]

Bedard won't cost nearly as much Burnett.

How much is reasonable, and for how long?

[Mooreisbetter27]

I would argue that Salazar or Montanez are better hitters than Hairston, as far as the bench guys go. But a bench of Salazar, Montanez (or Reimold), Hairston, and whatever backup catcher is definitely very solid.

You're probably right. I think I was more referring to before roster's expanded. However, yeah that does look like a solid bench.

[NCRaven]

If he's non-tendered he's a free agent, free to sign with any team at any price.

Are you sure. He doesn't have 6 years of Major League service time. Would he have to go through waivers and be eligible for arbitration with his new team? Or, would he be entirely free to sign anywhere, which could mean a far greater pay cut than he would face in arbitration? You're probably right, I'm just not sure what effect his service time could have on his eligibility for free agency and whether waivers would apply. If they did, we'd be in a great position to pick him up, given our record last season.

[Mackus]

I would argue that Salazar or Montanez are better hitters than Hairston, as far as the bench guys go. But a bench of Salazar, Montanez (or Reimold), Hairston, and whatever backup catcher is definitely very solid.

Yeah I think that would be an excellent bench. Salazar, Montanez, and Hairston would all be very good hitters for bench guys.

[33rdst]

With regard to Bedard, if he is non-tenderd I would think he would head straight for Toronto.

At age 32 Hairston had the best year of his career last year, 124 OPS+. Unfortunately, his previous five years were not good, contributing to a career OPS+ of 85.

Salazar is a better answer as a utility man IMO.

[NCRaven]

I would argue that Salazar or Montanez are better hitters than Hairston, as far as the bench guys go. But a bench of Salazar, Montanez (or Reimold), Hairston, and whatever backup catcher is definitely very solid.

Neither Salazar nor Montanez could perform adequately at SS or 2B (although Salazar is reportedly playing there in winter ball, he is not generally seen as a legitimate option at 2B). My only concern for a bench with Salazar, Montanez, and Hairston is that they are all right handed. The fourth bench player is going to be the catcher, and even if we signed Zaun - a switch hitter - he would not generally be available as a pinch hitter due to the need to keep him available in case of an in game injury to the starting catcher.

[vab]

Hairston would be smart to stay in the NL as a utility man. Much more playing time for that type of guy over there but if Roberts was traded he wouldn't be a bad stop gap at second.

[davearm]

That being the case, if the Orioles are truly interested in Bedard shouldn't they offer Seattle a lower level prospect for Bedard? That way Seattle gets something out of it and we ensure ourselves Bedard. AM should contact Seattle to find out if they are truly considering non-tendering Bedard.

IMO, it's more of a ploy on Seattle's part to see what type of trade value Bedard currently has in the market.

Keep in mind if you trade for Bedard, then you'd likely be planning on tendering him. So right away you'd be on the hook for something in the $7M neighborhood.

Only in the case where Bedard is non-tendered could you stand a realistic chance of inking him to a low-base, high-incentive type of deal.

Technically, you could trade for Bedard and then offer him a low-base, high-incentive deal, but I can't imagine why he'd take it without first forcing you to non-tender him, in which case he could test the FA waters before possibly coming back to your offer.

[Ruzious]

With regard to Bedard, if he is non-tenderd I would think he would head straight for Toronto.

At age 32 Hairston had the best year of his career last year, 124 OPS+. Unfortunately, his previous five years were not good, contributing to a career OPS+ of 85.

Salazar is a better answer as a utility man IMO.

It's not a 1 or the other situation, because Salazar isn't a reasonable option for middle infield - if a starter goes down. There should be room on the roster for both.