Despite a denial from the Baltimore Orioles and a big “no comment” from the Seattle Mariners, it looks like the Mariners’ long-awaited trade for pitcher Erik Bedard is nearly complete.
Mariners outfielder Adam Jones told a newspaper in Venezuela that Mariners GM Bill Bavasi told him Saturday that he has been traded to the Orioles for Bedard, the left-handed starting pitcher who the M’s have sought throughout the offseason.
“He told me I’ve got to go to Baltimore and handle things there,” Jones said. “I’m the centerpiece of the deal on the Mariners’ side. It’s an honor to get traded for such a highly talented pitcher as Bedard.”
Reports say the Mariners are sending Jones to the Orioles along with minor league pitcher Chris Tillman, major league reliever George Sherrill and another minor leaguer.
The Mariners wouldn’t confirm that a trade has been completed, even though Jones is returning from Venezuela while his winter league team, Lara, continues to play in the postseason.
“We did ask Jones to come back from Venezuela,” said Tim Hevly, the Mariners’ director of baseball information.
Andy MacPhail, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, said, “We do not have an agreement with the Mariners.”
And Sherrill, contacted Sunday night at his Salt Lake City home, said nobody has told him anything. That may seem a little strange because the clubs would want to schedule physical exams soon for all players involved in order to make the trade official.
One source said that while the trade won’t be announced anytime soon, the reports are valid.
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