Oft-injured left-handed starter Erik Bedard has agreed on a 1-year, non-guaranteed contract with the Mariners.
Other details of the contract haven’t been mentioned, but it’s likely to be highly incentive laden, considering he hasn’t thrown a pitch in over a season and a half.
But the key term is “non-guaranteed” contract. Most MLB contracts are guaranteed contracts.
Really this is a low-risk, possibly high-reward move by GM Jack Zduriencik. Will Bedard ever be the pitcher that the Mariners hoped when they gave up five players to get him? It seems doubtful. But even if he’s somewhere near his old form – that’s pretty good. You can never have enough starting pitch depth. And really the Mariners rotation beyond Felix Hernandez is still unproven. Yes, Jason Vargas and Doug Fister had solid seasons last year. But there are not guarantees they will be as good this season.
Bedard gives them depth, and some hope – even it seems farfetched.
He worked very hard last season in trying to get back after having surgery to repair his labrum. And before the setback he was looking pretty solid.
Bedard, 31, has made 30 starts for the Mariners over the last three seasons (2008-10), but did not pitch in the Majors in 2010. The left-hander has had season-ending shoulder surgery in each of the last two seasons, most recently Aug. 6, 2010 to remove a bone spur in his acromioclavicular joint shaved down.
Coming off shoulder surgery that ended his 2009 campaign, Bedard made three rehab starts with the AZL Mariners and Tacoma Rainiers, before being shut down for the rest of the season.
In his 30 starts with the Mariners, Bedard is 11-7 with a 3.24 ERA (59 ER, 164.0 IP). In his Major League career he has compiled a 51-41 record with a 3.81 ERA (144 G/141 GS). He was acquired by the Mariners from Baltimore on Feb. 8, 2008 in exchange for Adam Jones (of), George Sherrill (lhp), Chris Tillman (rhp), Kam Mickolio (rhp) and Tony Butler (lhp).
I’m really surprised but unguaranteed works for me!
× Flag comment
I’m not surprised. I don’t think the M’s FO wants to take the chance that Bedard signs with someone else and then pitches the way we thought he would when first obtaining him. This is a no risk-medium reward move.
By the way, The M’s just completed a trade with Colorado, sending Jose Lopez, whom they were about to non-tender, for 24 year old pitcher Chaz Roe, a 6 ’5 RHP who is an interesting pitcher with a shot at being a decent 4th or 5th starter with just modest development of a 3rd pitch, or possibly a solid RP. A nice little move by Zduriencik, getting something for a guy we were getting rid of anyway.
× Flag comment
Let the Bedard watch begin.
× Flag comment
To clarify: I’m a bit surprised that Bedard (& his agent) accepted a non guarantee rather then testing the open market.
× Flag comment
Moo
Looking that Starting pitching market as of right now best pitcher out this is Cliff Lee and alot team know their not going to get him because it pretty much in bag with NYY because their willing to offer 6yrs over 160 plus million, sorry Texas has no shot and speculation is that he doesn’t want to go back to Texas as he cannot pitch in the heat.
Next best options are Aaron Harang, Jeremy Bonderman, Kevin Millwood, Freddy Garcia, Carl Pavano even though I think he decent last big contract was failure big time by NYY.
the so so pitchers Doug Davis, Kevin Correia, Rodrigo Lopez, Rodrigo Lopez, Vicente Padilla, Rich Harden, Bruce Chen, Justin Duchscherer,
Coming off Injury Brandon Webb, Chris Young, Justin Duchscherer, Jeff Francis, Brad Penny
the pitchers who sat out 2010 season Pedro, Branden Looper, Jarrod Washburn,
The never was Ian Snell
the down yr season in 2010 Jeff Suppan,Todd Wellemeyer
so pretty much a guy like bedard belong in injuries area and finding a new profession.
× Flag comment