With Johan Santana gone, is the Érik Bédard deal finally going to go down?

The King of Queens

The Minnesota Twins finally found a suitable offer for their ace pitcher Johan Santana. The New York Mets agreed to send centerfielder Carlos Gomez, minor league pitchers Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey and, Deolis Guerra in exchange for the franchise-changing pitcher. The Package that the Mets came up with sends four of their top ten prospects over to the twin cities. Due to a no-trade clause in Santana’s previous contract, the Mets had to give the former Cy Young winner an extension or he would not waive the clause. A few days after the Mets and Twins finalized the deal, Santana accepted a contract extension from the Mets. Santana’s new contract is a historical six-year deal worth $137.5 million.

Johan Santana last season went 15-13 with a 3.33 ERA and a mere 1.07 WHIP. Santana did see his numbers slip a bit last year, especially down the stretch. In his final 11 starts, Santana lost seven them and watched his ERA go from a lowly 2.60 to 3.33. In the 2008 season, Santana will bounce back and win 20 games while eating up 220 innings and striking out 250 batters.

The Deal Breaker

• The Seattle Mariners and the Baltimore Orioles were so close to completing a trade that would send Érik Bédard to Seattle for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman and Tony Butler, but a rules issue got in the way. The Mariners thought the deal was so close to completion that they sent Jones and Sherrill to Baltimore for physicals, but when Jones made a statement about the deal, it brought up a question concerning the rules of the trade. If the players went to Baltimore and took the physicals, the O’s would then be required to accept the deal. Baltimore is asking Seattle to put in writing that the O’s would only have to accept the trade if all players in the deal passed the physical. The problem the Mariners are running into is, what if one of the players fails the physical? Say Adam Jones was to fail the physical – his value on the market would drop considerably. Look for the rules issue to be taken care of and the to be completed this week.


• The Mariners made a move earlier this week that is going to make it a whole lot easier to ship Adam Jones away, as they signed Brad Wilkerson to a $3 million, one-year deal. Last season Wilkerson hit .234 with 20 home runs and 62 RBI. Wilkerson is capable of playing all three outfield positions and first base. If the M’s are able to trade Jones, look for Wilkerson to be the starting right fielder on opening day. Wilkerson will likely hit around .250 and smash another 20 home runs.


• The Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago Cubs are locked in yet another stalemate over the Brian Roberts deal. The Orioles want Felix Pie but the Cubs are dead set against it. If the Orioles are willing to take on Jason Marquis then they could demand more from the Cubs.

Who Is Playing First?

The New York Yankees signed third baseman Morgan Ensberg to a minor league contract. If Ensberg makes the 40-man roster, his contract will then become a one-year deal worth 1.75 million. Last year Ensberg hit .230 with 12 home runs and 39 RBI with the Astros and Padres. In 2005, he hit .283 with 36 home runs and 101 RBI on his way to an All-Star appearance. Ensberg will come in to spring training and compete for the first base job with Jason Giambi, Shelly Duncan, and William Betemit. Do not expect Ensberg to anything for your fantasy team this because his not making the 40-man roster.

Noteworthy News

• The Boston Red Sox and first baseman Sean Casey agreed on a one-year deal worth $700,000. Casey last season hit .296 with 4 home runs and 54 RBI. Although Casey is the second choice for the Sox, he will be able to come in for Kevin Youkilis when he either needs rest or is playing third for the aging Mike Lowell. Casey will not appear in more than 40 games, but when he is in the line up he will have a much better impact on the game than the former first base back up Eric Hinske.


• The Washington Nationals and relief pitcher Jon Rauch avoided arbitration this week by agreeing on a $3.2 million deal that will keep Rauch in the capital city for two more years. Rauch last season had an 8-4 record with a 3.61 ERA in 88 appearances. Watch for Rauch to appear in another 85 games and win another five to ten games for up and coming Nats.


• The San Diego Padres have reportedly been discussing a contract with veteran first baseman Mike Sweeney. Sweeney has seen his playing time cut severely due to a chronic back injury and knee injury that he got in July of 2007. Look for Sweeney to have good year coming off the bench if he can stay healthy.


• For the first time since signing an eight-year deal in 2000, Mike Hampton is coming into spring training 100 percent healthy. The Braves are claiming that the injury-plagued lefty is ready to step and be the pitcher he used to be. If Hampton really is ready to finally earn his $15 million, the Braves would be fielding a starting rotation with four former 20 game winners. Fantasy owners should wait and see how the 35 year old hold up in the first month or two of the season. If healthy, Hampton could take the Comeback Player of the Year award while winning 15 games and eating up six innings per game.


• The Washington Nationals added a back up catcher this week for the recently signed and injured Paul Lo Duca. Johnny Estrada and the Nats agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.25 million. Paul Lo Duca is currently out for approximately 6 weeks after having arthroscopic knee surgery. Estrada is coming off knee and elbow surgeries, but he is healthy right now. Once Lo Duca is healthy, expect Estrada to be riding the bench for the majority of the season.