Add new comment

You could throw Aardsma in there, too, I suppose.
The reality with Bedard hitting the DL is that the club has only one "obvious" trading piece - Washburn.  Since you cannot trade a guy on the DL, Beltre and Bedard aren't going to be part of any deadline deal.
In truth, there's lots of FA-s to be, if you include guys nobody really wants, (which is why Seattle could get them).  But, Branyan seems to be doing his utmost to prevent any trade by attempting to prove everyone previous correct - that he's not up to being a fulltime starter.  (I think he's actually hurt enough that he'd bounce back faster with a 3 or 4 day vacation).
But, honestly, the choice of buy or sell isn't much up in the air at this point.  The only selling chip is really Washburn, (barring the complete firesale, which includes the freebie pickups like Branyan and Aardsma). 
My hope (more than expectation) is that the injury issues with Bedard especially make him amenable to signing a 1-year, so he can stay put and TRY to put together a full-season to drive his market value back up.  Given his health AND the baseball economy, a 1-year doesn't sound like a bad plan for Bedard.  Branyan and Aardsma I think are likely re-signs.  Beltre is the real wild card.  He's finishing on a horribly down season -- but - if he gets hot in the last 6 weeks, then I'm thinking he'll test the waters.  But, I think, like Bedard, getting a 1-year to try and push his value back up before getting something longer also makes sense.
I think Z is capable of plugging TWO offensive holes per off-season.  I don't think any GM can expect to do more.  He got F-Gut and Branyan this time around.  The question for 2010 is going to be what happens with SS, LF and DH.  Still lots of holes to plug.  But, I still think 2011 is the first time Seattle can "expect" to be truly competitive.