Erik-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k-k !, Timetable
"He's feeling healthy right now. We've got a very good report from two different doctors and Erik says he feels very good. .... He says he feels great right now,'' Zduriencik said. "He's looking forward to being right on time with his starts.''
Zduriencik earlier acknowledged the injury history.
But it's interesting too that the timetable is now --- > with money associated to "now." Love the fact that Erik is willing to show his stuff, in March, in order to lock in his deal.
And it would make no sense to speak in terms of June: it's June already, plus 8 months, when we get to Arizona.
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=== Margin for Error Dept. ===
Ben Sheets relies on pinpoint command, and sharp movement, to run those 5:1 control ratios.
Erik Bedard, on the other hand, is one of those guys who is always great, provided only that he can take the mound.
Can't tell you why I have this recollection, but of that type of pitcher (often injured, returns at 100% for 50 innings, then shuts down again) it seems like almost all of them have been lefties. We remember Don Gullett being like that for the Big Red Machine. John Tudor, it seems like. :shrug: whoever.
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=== Big Unit II ===
We'll remind, once more, that a healthy Erik Bedard is just about the closest thing you'll find to Randy Johnson:
- 8.8 k, 3.6 bb, 0.8 hr for Bedard
- 10.6 k, 3.3 bb, 0.9 hr for the Unit
- LH Fastball-slider two pitch arsenal for Bedard
- LH Fastball-slider two pitch arsenal for the Unit
- Check the release point in the picture above
And that Bedard, if he could get on the mound, would be a lefty K artist throwing in a park with a death valley in LF.
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=== Kerry Wood Dept. ===
Would like to hear the org's answer to this question. Suppose that after five starts, Bedard is getting a dull ache in his shoulder? Would you consider giving him 15 days off ... and then letting him close?
It worked for Kerry Wood. ... Imagine Erik Bedard as a 1-inning relief pitcher. Slap me silly, he could make Rivera money.
Not sure I ever remember a LH closer with exactly Bedard's repertoire. He'd fan 12 men per nine as a reliever, like Billy Wagner. Any slider-first LH'ers in that category the last thirty years?
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=== It's Worth a Simoleon ===
On paper, it seems like Bedard ought to be a pretty good bet (50%)? to come through, and the beauty of it is that if he comes through at all, he's a second Felix Hernandez to this ballclub.
Bedard's ERA, with the shoulder ripped up, was 2.82 at the time he was shut down in 2009. Would be nice to see him when he was feeling good.
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Not givin' up,
Dr D