Friday is going to be a big day for Erik Bedard and the Seattle Mariners. Not only because the Mariners may well be riding an 18-game losing streak; also because Friday will be Bedard's first start back off the disabled list (knee strain), and his only start off the DL prior to Sunday's non-waiver trade deadline.
MLB Trade Rumors: Erik Bedard Generating Wide Interest
Jon Heyman checks in:
erik bedard has big showcase friday. #tigers, #redsox among many, many teams interested. #mariners. #tradedeadlineless than a minute ago via web 
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Jon Heyman
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So how Bedard looks could determine whether he gets traded, and - if he does get dealt - for how much. Interested teams will want to be sure that his knee is healthy, so they’ll monitor Bedard closely, but if he pitches well, there could be something of a bidding war.
Why? Because of all the starters on the market, Bedard has arguably the highest upside. Over his most recent 11 starts, he’s posted a 1.77 ERA with nearly a strikeout an inning, looking every bit like the front-of-the-line pitcher the Mariners thought they were getting in 2008. Bedard comes with obvious risk, but one can’t deny his talent, which means he would be an interesting and affordable gamble.
Heyman names the Tigers and Red Sox specifically as being interested, which isn't surprising, since they've had interest in pretty much every available pitcher floating around. Other teams will be watching Bedard too, though, and so if he looks good on Friday, he could very well have a new home by the end of the weekend.
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