The U.S.S. Mariner and Dave Cameron have reported that Bedard has confirmed a deal to return to Seattle.
http://ussmariner.com/2010/02/05/bedard-confirms-deal/
I read this situation wrong, as I thought a return to the Orioles was going to happen. Roch Kubatko and MASN reported yesterday that the O’s did make an offer in-line to Seattle’s offer, but that Bedard choose the Mariners. I guess that is understandable with the bigger ball-park, outstanding defense, offered by Seattle. By Bedard’s own admission, there is less pressure being the 3rd starter in a rotation that features Hernandez, and Lee.
Clearly everyone in Baltimore is aware that Bedard never particularly relished the spot-light, or responsibility of leading a rotation.
Despite that, I thought signing Bedard now had the potential to pay dividends this season. If he returned to health (and performance) between May – July, it could have provided additional options to the rotation.
However, the same thing that made him available (his health), is the same thing that made signing him a gamble. Will he ever be ready to pitch in 2010? Even if he does, will he be effective? If you signed him for 2010 alone, would you be signing him to just rehab with you, and give starts to someone else in 2011?
Well, those are all questions the O’s do not have to worry about now.
The focus goes back to what you have on the staff today, and there are plenty of positives.
The Orioles opened 2009 with a rotation of Guthrie, Uehara, Simon, Hendrickson, and Eaton.
The Orioles will open 2010 with a rotation of Millwood, Matusz, Guthrie, Bergesen, and Tillman.
If you can not see the obvious improvement, that is on you.
While I think you can project those 5 starters to provide you with 790 innings or so of work, the reality is that things happen (injuries, performance issues) during the course of a season. Besides being optimistic about the existing rotation, I am excited by the volume of internal options that exist to supplement the current rotation.
Arrieta
Hernandez
Berken
Uehara
Hendrickson
Patton
Erbe
Britton
That is a pretty strong stable of arms that could be capable of aiding the rotation if needed.
There is a multitude of reasons why the O’s have crashed and burned with regularity during the 2nd-half of seasons. My favorite two reasons are the increase of division games, and the pitching-staff tiring out during the dog-days of summer.
Typically the staff has started a season being thin to begin with. This has forced the bullpen to work a bunch of innings early in the year, and when summer comes; they have already reached a breaking point.
This year, not only is the starting rotation improved, which should help save the bullpen; the bullpen itself is improved by adding pitchers who have the capability of pitching more innings. Adding Hernandez, Berken, and Uehara to the bullpen is a tremendous improvement. It would be a shame to me, if Hernandez or Berken were sent back to start at AAA.
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Chris Stoner founded Baltimore Sports and Life in 2009. He has appeared as a radio guest with 1090 WBAL, 105.7 The Fan, CBS 1300, Q1370, WOYK 1350, WKAV 1400, and WNST 1570. He has also been interviewed by The Baltimore Sun, Baltimore Business Journal, and PressBox (TV). As Owner, his responsibilities include serving as the Managing Editor, Publicist, & Sales Director.