Comments on: Report: Pirates sign left-hander Erik Bedard for $4.5 million

By: ridgeavenuehr

ridgeavenuehr — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 02:49:44 +0000

Signings like this give us Pirate fans hope-you know, like Lyle Overbay last year.

By: taz101

taz101 — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 01:54:04 +0000

I agree the 4.5 million seems a little high, but you have to realize the Pirates are generally going to have to overpay for their targets, whereas a contender would typically be able to make the signing at or slightly above fair market value; even below in some cases. Its called Pirate Taxing.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:35:49 +0000

That’s fair. I’m certainly a bit higher on Bedard than most. I’d take my chances with him over Garcia or Bruce Chen.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:33:03 +0000

Matthew, I couldn’t agree more if you are just looking to fill out one or two spots on the roster. But as I see it the Sox need to sign 2 starters to fill out both Lackey’s and Dice K’s spot in the rotation. They need to decide what to do about the closer position. They need to decide what to do with the RF position and they need to get some help in the bullpen now. That seems like a lot to leave and wait for things to settle down. Also perhaps not as pressing is what about the long term (season health) of Youkilis to man 3rd base on a day to day basis. Something he hasn’t been able to do so far.

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:28:52 +0000

So much for that “vaunted” Red Sox pitching staff that the fans were bragging about just a year or two ago. LMAO

By: bozosforall

bozosforall — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:26:39 +0000

Yet another rat who escapes the Red Sox sinking ship.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:26:31 +0000

Matthew, $4.5MM does seem a bit high. I look at Garcia who just signed with the Yankees for $4MM plus incentives and then see Bedard signing for $4.5MM. It does seem a bit out of proportion.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:23:56 +0000

You must have come to that 5 ERA figure after consulting with Bedard’s career 3.54 mark.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:23:41 +0000

Very slow. But that’s probably the smart strategy, at least when it comes to players. Ignoring the top-shelf guys for a minute, those third-tier players always get too much money early in free agency (for example, everyone the Dodgers have signed so far). Teams are better off waiting.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:21:29 +0000

Nope, no arbitration involved. $4.5 million seems about right to me, though. I wouldn’t wager on the number of starts, but I imagine he’ll have an ERA under 4.00, possibly well under 4.00.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:20:56 +0000

Bedard will earn 4.5 million in about 8 starts. The Pirates are going to get surplus value and potentially have a trade chip at the deadline.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:20:52 +0000

Is it just me or do the Red Sox seem to be moving at a snails pace this fall and winter in addressing “their” issues. Be it players that need to be signed or on field personal that need to be replaced like but not limited to a pitching coach.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:18:52 +0000

I’ll take that bet.. i say he makes 20 starts tops and in those 20 he has something in the neighborhood of a 5 ERA

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:17:54 +0000

100%… he had.. what… a season and a half of being decent? and since being traded to the M’s was complete and total crap… 4.5 sound like 2.5 more than anyone else would have offered him.. Unless he got that in arbitration?

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:15:05 +0000

I actually like the signing. Better to take a chance on Bedard than throwing money at Correia-types. He probably won’t make more than 20-25 starts, but he should be plenty good when he’s on the mound.

By: Matthew Pouliot

Matthew Pouliot — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:13:13 +0000

I don’t think Bedard was comfortable in Boston. My guess is that both sides were content with it being a two-month relationship.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:11:13 +0000

Is this you being serious? I just want to check.

By: uyf1950

uyf1950 — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:09:55 +0000

I wonder if the Red Sox were counting on Bedard being available to fill the back of the rotation again this year with both Lackey and Dice K out? Lackey for all season and Dice K probably until the AS Break.

By: phukyouk

phukyouk — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 19:07:46 +0000

for seriously? 4.5 Mil? its no wonder the Pirates never go anywhere. they spend their money on crap pitchers…