EriK Bedard

How sweet is it that Mr. Bedard is among the 1% of all Erics out there who spell thier name with a K. It fits so perfectly. These are the little things that I love to look at. So from now on, I refuse to type or write his name any other way besides EriK Bedard.

It's not exactly official yet, but I am writing this now because I just got word that Adam Jones is in Baltimore right now for his physical, and that is all that remains.

This really is an awesome acquisition for us. I love Adam Jones as much as anybody, and I realize his amazing potential. He absolutely will be a star in this league. But let's take a look at our pitching rotation last year compared to this year.

2007
Felix Hernandez
Jarrod Washburn
Miguel Batista
Jeff Weaver (7-13, 6.20 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, 146.2 IP, 4.92 K/9)
Horacio Ramirez (8-7, 7.16ERA, 1.85 WHIP, 98 IP, 3.67 K/9)

2008 Projected
Felix Hernandez
EriK Bedard (13-5, 3.16 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 182 IP, 10.93 K/9)
Jarrod Washburn
Miguel Batista
Carlos Silva (13-14, 4.19 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 202 IP, 3.97 K/9)

And as excited as I am about Bedard, please don't underestimate the importance of bringing in a guy like Silva. No, he's not a Santana or Liriano, he won't strike a ton of guys out. But he eats up innings like crazy. And as our 4th or 5th guy, if he can save our pen for the top of the rotation, that is going to help like you wouldn't believe. And getting him into Safeco is only going to improve his numbers. He lets guys put it in play, and with our defense, it is a beautiful fit.

As much as it pains me to see Adam go, it gives us a chance to focus on another young future star that we have in the system. If you don't know who I am talking about, we have the most talented and highest rated shortstop in all of the minor leagues in Carlos Triunfel. I have to admit I have yet to see him actually play, but from what I read he is going to be fun to watch. I cannot wait to see how he pans out, although I love Yuniesky a lot. Watching Yuni and Beltre hold down the left side is absolutely beautiful, although word has it that Triunfel's glove is even better. Triunfel is not a power guy, but I'm sure he can be a better hitter than Betancourt. Yuni has his moments and I love him, but I can't wait to see this kid in the bigs.

Annnnd one quick non-baseball note,

How hilarious was it watching the Patriots blow that perfect season. They went from "Best Team of All Time" to "Maybe one of the top 50 teams of all time because we just lost to Eli Manning. We suck." I wonder how Tom Brady feels. He just got pimp slapped by his nemesis Peyton Manning the year before, and then the very next year has Peyton's punk little brother pimp slap him even worse on the biggest stage of all. Absolutely hilarious.

(I'm not even a Giants fan, I just love seeing my annoying Boston friends cry)