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Baltimore Orioles: Remembering the Erik Bedard trade

By Dave Stevenson |
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles center fielder Adam Jones (10) hits an RBI double during the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

As the MLB trade deadline creeps near, may the Orioles remember the Erik Bedard trade.

Since moving to Baltimore, the Baltimore Orioles have made two trades that saved the franchise. The first one was back in December of 1965 when the Orioles traded for Frank Robinson. Robinson was the missing piece to the Orioles’ World Series jigsaw puzzle, winning the Triple Crown and American League Most Valuable Player award in 1966 and helped them win to World Series titles in 1966 and 1970.

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The second one was the Erik Bedard trade back in February of 2008. At the time, there were many Orioles fans who didn’t like the Bedard trade. I’ll be the first person to admit that I was upset that the Orioles had just traded the best starting pitcher that the Orioles had since Mike Mussina. In exchange for Bedard, the Orioles received Tony Butler, Kam Mickolio, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, and Adam Jones. Nine years later, let’s take a look at what the Orioles got for Erik Bedard.

First, let’s take a look at Bedard. Much like Frank Robinson, Bedard was expected to be a missing piece to the Mariners after Seattle finished with an 88-74 record during the 2007 season. He simply was never the missing piece. Bedard had a 3.67 ERA in 81 innings over 15 starts in 2008 as the Mariners fell to a 61-101 record. In 2009, Erik Bedard once again suffered injuries but at least had a 2.82 ERA in 83 innings over 15 starts. The rest of his career was mediocre at best.

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Next, let’s take a look at who they got for Bedard. Tony Butler was the Mariners’ 12th best prospect when the trade occurred. Butler never pitched in the majors as injuries and ineffectiveness plagued him.

Kam Mickolio pitched in the majors for 29 games (23 of them with the Orioles) over four seasons with a career 4.83 ERA. He has found success in Japan, pitching for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp and the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

George Sherrill was a setup man for the Mariners when he was traded. He turned out being an effective closer for the Orioles and was even their lone All-Star representative in 2008. The Orioles traded him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2009 for third baseman Josh Bell and pitcher Steve Johnson. Bell was a huge bust, but at least he hit two home runs off Cliff Lee in the same game. Johnson spent some time with the Orioles before the Mariners signed him last offseason.

The two gems of the Erik Bedard trade, Adam Jones and Chris Tillman, are still with the Orioles. Tillman has been the Orioles best pitcher since being called up for good in 2012, even earning an All-Star berth in 2013. He has contributed far more to the Orioles than Bedard ever did to the Mariners.

Jones gave the Orioles an everyday center fielder who has emerged as one of the best outfielders in baseball. More importantly, Jones gave the team a vocal leader, something that they had long needed. Even with Manny Machado emerging as arguably the best player in baseball, Jones remains the heart and soul of the Orioles. The Orioles fortunes were reversed when Jones boldly declared that he wanted to stay in Baltimore back in 2012.

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What can fans and teams learn from the Erik Bedard trade? Don’t put all your eggs in one basket like the Mariners did. Sell high like the Orioles did. If a guy isn’t a part of your long-term plans, be open to trading him. The Bedard trade was a brilliant trade by the Orioles and they are still reaping the benefits of it.

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