This deal seems like it has been talked about forever, but today it finally became official: the Mariners traded Adam Jones, George Sherrill and three pitching prospects to Baltimore for Erik Bedard. This is a deal that makes sense for both teams. getting Bedard gives the Mariners a terrific one-two at the top of the rotation, and gives them a realistic shot at contending for a playoff berth this year.
Even though he’s only 1-2 lifetime in four starts at Safeco Field, Bedard should be a stellar pitcher in that ballpark. If King Felix finally blossoms into the ace everyone expects him to be and the rest of the rotation pitches decently (as it should with Carlos Silva, Jarrod Washburn and Miguel Batista rounding it out) this is a championship-caliber rotation. The AL West race just went from “ho-hum, Angels win again” to “this could be interesting.”
On the Orioles’ side of things, this also looks like a good deal. They weren’t going to contend against the Red Sox and Yankees this year anyway, and Adam Jones is a player with a lot of upside. George Sherrill is a decent bullpen arm, and if any of the three pitching prospects pan out at all this could end up looking like a great move in a few years.
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