NASHVILLE – The Mets are prioritizing Oakland’s Dan Haren and Baltimore’s Erik Bedard. The problem is at least eight to 10 other teams also are waging battle for the two aces from the non-Johan Santana division.
In fact, Bedard is so attractive the Tigers and Phillies – clubs initially told by Baltimore they do not match up – were still pressing to try to find ways to get involved on the talented lefty.
The Mets have made it clear they will use Carlos Gomez to front any deal for a No. 1 starter, but still might not have enough to close the deal. Both Baltimore and Oakland are looking for packages at least as big as what Santana will draw, mainly because Bedard cannot be a free agent until after the 2009 season and Haren is signed through 2010 for $16.25 million in total. So the Orioles and A’s figure they could always hold onto their chips until the July trade bazaar or next offseason if a suitable deal does not arrive.
One NL talent evaluator who loves Bedard said, “Bedard is closer in talent to Santana than Haren is to Bedard. In fact, it is not impossible to believe that in a year, we will all think Bedard is better than Santana.” An AL executive said, “Here is what impresses me about Bedard, he pitches in the AL East against the Yankees and Red Sox. So, to me, he can pitch anywhere and excel.”
Last year in five starts against the Yanks and Red Sox, Bedard was 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA, allowing 17 hits in 34 2/3 innings while walking 10 and striking out 34.
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The Indians are discussing a deal in which they would obtain outfielder Alex Rios from the Blue Jays for outfielder Franklin Gutierrez and pitcher Cliff Lee. The addition of Lee could further motivate Toronto to consider dealing A.J. Burnett. . . .
Word that Jake Peavy is close to signing an extension for about $17 million annually (beginning in 2010) to stay San Diego’s ace has Cleveland somewhat encouraged that it might be able to re-sign C.C. Sabathia. The lefty is a free agent after this season and if he gets to the marketplace, he likely will head into what Santana is looking for, which is better than $20 million annually for at least six years.
Cleveland does not feel it can go in that territory. But Sabathia has always seemed happy as an Indian, so the organization is hoping he will consider some kind of Peavy-esque discount to stay. . . .
The Cubs have prioritized finding a lefty-hitting right fielder. The free-agent market is not appealing to them (Geoff Jenkins and Brad Wilkerson) and their attempts to land Cincinnati’s Adam Dunn in a deal fizzled. So they are focused on Japanese free agent Kosuke Fukudome, who has not even said officially he will come to the States.
Chicago considers Fukudome a five-tool asset capable of playing any outfield position. There have been comparisons to Hideki Matsui, but the Cubs feel Fukudome has less power than Matsui, but is a superior runner and thrower. If the Cubs fail on Fukudome, they could become interested in Johnny Damon, though Damon certainly does not have the arm to play right field.