erik bedard

[Illinest]

pirates are kicking the tires.

maybe that's a bad analogy. Bedard has a history of breakdowns but when he's healthy he's more of a Corvette than a Kia.

If the Pirates manage to get Bedard signed to replace Maholm then I'll have to admit that they at least had a good idea. Bedard has every bit of the talent necessary to be a top of the rotation starter, and it's possible if Morton has a really good offseason that the Pirates could have something resembling a respectable rotation.

Still a lot of ifs, but you can at least make a case for it:

IF Bedard is healthy and has a good season
IF Morton figures out a way to get lefties.
IF Karstens' deal with Satan was for two seasons
IF McDonald pitches up to his talent level

I should stop before I get too hot and bothered, but I can at least see the beginnings of a way out of this hell if Neil somehow manages to add a good starting pitcher. Doesn't even have to be Bedard, but it would be nice to have someone with talent on a 3 or more year deal. It would connect us through to Cole and bridge the gap to Taillon and the overslot kids.

 

[thedddd]

They need to make a gamble like this after all the softball signings so far.

 

[magnumo]

If the Pirates DON'T make a significant improvement to their starting rotation, I believe the 2012 team will lose at least 100 games.

 

[smokeyburgess]

I have to agree with Magnumo -- without some quality additions to the starting staff, the Buccos will probably lose 100 games AGAIN.

They have to take a chance on Bedard if he's willing to sign with them. When he's healthy, he's actually one of the better lefty starters in the majors; if he gets hurt again, Pirate pitching won't be any worse than it already is.

 

[element1286]

Apparently he is going to sign, seems like a quality gamble. Even if he only pitches 100 innings they will probably be high quality innings, and they needed a left handed starter. He misses bats too, so that is always a plus.

 

[thecrow124]

I absolutely love this deal as long as they just let him pitch and don't try to tinker with him. At $4.5 million he is a steal, I would rather have 100 innings of Bedard than 200 innings of Maholm.

 

[thedddd]

I totally agree with all of you. This is the first signing that I am actually excited about.

 

[magnumo]

Yes indeed..... good signing. Let's just hope that he stays healthy.

 

[steelparrot]

Long time since Ive been here. This is the best off season signing for a looooooooooooong time.

 

[magnumo]

Long time since Ive been here. This is the best off season signing for a looooooooooooong time.

Welcome back, Parrot.

Certainly better than Kevin Correia..... that's for sure.

 

[Etrius24]

Bedard has real talent... and he has shown last season that he can still pitch... I think he is going to be better... Partly because he will be in the NL and get to face the pitcher... partly because he is another year removed from shoulder surgery.