February 15, 2008
Bedard Under Contract
The Mariners and Erik Bedard settled without arbitration, splitting the difference with a $7 million contract.
The two sides are believed to have already started negotiations on a long-term deal. General manager Bill Bavasi, who still has not had a contract go to arbitration since he joined the Mariners in 2004, indicated last week that the team was exploring a multiyear extension for the left-handed ace.
Given the amount of talent the Mariners traded for Bedard, the pitcher needs to be more than a two-year rental.