Will the Santana deal effectively kill Bedard-Jones trade rumors?

When you consider what the Minnesota Twins received from the New York Mets in exchange for two-time Cy Young Award winner Johann Santana- a handful of prospects who are unlikely to make an immediate impact for the Twins, with the centerpiece of the deal being 25-year old Phillip Humber who compiled all of a 11-9 record and 4.27 ERA in 25 Triple-A starts in 2007- it’s pretty clear that Bavasi doesn’t need to give away the farm to the Baltimore Orioles for left-hander Erik Bedard. Nearly every report listed the trade package offered by Bavasi as including Adam Jones, George Sherrill, M’s minor league player of the year Chris Tillman- quite a collection of talent being offered for a pitcher with nary a Cy Young under his bet. Now that the Santana deal to the Mets has set the benchmark, the M’s can pull back on their offer as they have been provided with an opportunity to renegotiate and offer a package that includes substantially less in terms of talent.

Supposedly the Orioles had prevented the deal from going through, as they have been putting pressure on Bavasi to strengthen the M’s offer. However, by waiting too long, the O’s may have overplayed their hand, and may have played themselves into a package that doesn’t include Adam Jones, perhaps the highest-sought prospect the M’s have. In the post-Santana trade world, the O’s might be better off dealing Bedard for whatever collection of prospects available, or holding on to him and dealing him at next summer’s trade deadline. But with the Mets landing Santana for virtually nothing, the O’s have little room to issue demands in exchange for Bedard.

Mariners’ 2008 rotation: 12 pitchers vying for 5 spots

I do not envy new Mariners’ pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre. Just weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training, he has to figure out a five man rotation from twelve possible candidates.

To be fair, it seems as if the top four spots are locked in with King Felix, Washburn, Silva, and Batista, so that means eight candidates vying for the final rotation spot. For those looking to place bets, it appears that Brandon Morrow has the inside track to be the fifth starter, with Stottlemyre calling his stuff “just tremendous.”