Bavasi expects to land No. 1 starting pitcher

Bavasi expects to land No. 1 starting pitcher

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Story Published: Jan 24, 2008 at 6:39 PM PDT

Story Updated: Jan 24, 2008 at 6:39 PM PDT

By Associated Press

SEATTLE (AP) - Seattle Mariners general manager Bill Bavasi says he expects to have a newly acquired opening day starter on March 31 at Safeco Field to pitch against the Texas Rangers.

Bavasi won't name the target of his trade talks because of baseball's tampering rules against openly courting players on other teams, but it's 28-year-old Baltimore Orioles left-hander Eric Bedard.

Baseball officials with knowledge of Seattle's winter efforts have been confirming for weeks that the Mariners have been pursuing a deal involving Bedard.

Bedard posted a 13-5 record with a 3.16 ERA and 221 strikeouts, third in the AL, for a 93-loss Orioles' team, last season.

He's currently scheduled for an arbitration hearing next month, with Bedard asking for $8 million per season and Baltimore countering with $6 million.

The Mariners are believed to have offered Adam Jones, currently scheduled to start the season as Seattle's right fielder, and minor-league prospects for Bedard.

The Orioles are thought to be asking for Jones and Brandon Morrow, the Mariners' fifth-overall draft choice from 2006 who debuted in Seattle's bullpen last season.

Bavasi spoke at the Mariners' annual pre-spring training luncheon today at Safeco Field.

Pitchers and catchers report for the team's spring training on Feb. 13 in Peoria, Ariz., with the workouts to begin the following day.

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