I’ve tried to hold off on posting about the Baltimore Orioles and an Erik Bedard deal, because a wise man once told me that owner Peter Angelos will always let a deal sit on his desk for weeks or even months. It’s just the lawyer in him.
But man, this do-si-do has gone on long enough. All indications are that the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners are in place to deal Bedard for a package that includes center fielder Adam Jones, a reliever and a pitching prospect. Bedard doesn’t want to be here, and the team has appeared willing to accommodate his request.
So what’s the big freakin’ hold up?
As usual, Peter Angelos wants people to know that he is a master negotiator, and that you are ultimately at his mercy. Here’s a clue, Petey; baseball transactions and asbestos litigation are in no way similar. This isn’t rocket science and it’s not a courtroom. You aren’t negotiating for Johan Santana, although it would’ve been nice if you had at least thrown your name into the ring.
The club is mired in steroid talk, the front office has gone through significant changes, and the team up the road will open up the 2008 season on national television in a glittering new stadium. The Orioles are facing many challenges regarding personnel decisions and fan allegiance. The least Angelos and the Orioles can do for everyone is to quit the limbo game in this trade deal. It would be the first sign to everyone that you at least look at the Orioles as more than a pawn in a boardroom chess game.
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