I’m sure we’ve all moved on from this, but I thought I would share the letter I got from ‘fancare’:

Dear Andrew,

Thanks for your email regarding Erik Bedard. It is clear that you are a passionate baseball fan. Our fans make a substantial investment of time, money and emotion in the team, and we recognize that we have to keep earning that support each year. Despite the reports you have heard, let me assure you that we are committed to bringing a World Championship to Seattle. Thank you for sharing your thoughts with us and for your passion and your commitment.

Seattle Mariners Fancare

NR

I was surprised to get any response at all, really, even if it is basically a form letter.

Yay, me! (That’s positive enough, right?)

Let’s hope for the benefit of my wanting to see a quality team, and your “realism,” that the trade doesn’t happen then.

Don’t make it sound like I agree with what they’re doing. Taking this from a rational and realistic approach doesn’t mean I approve. I’m merely trying to point out that Bavasi isn’t nearly as big a moron as we want to vilify him as.

Again, though, I’m not sure how you don’t think this particular GM is capable of making such a boob move.

Realistically any GM is capable of doing this, but I’ll be blunt:

Bavasi is not going to throw the farm at the Orioles to get Bedard. If he really wanted to do that, he’d have done it already. If there really was a huge sense of urgency from Bill or the Mariners FO to trump the other possible deals out there, they’d have done it already.

Bill is negotiating so he doesn’t have to give up too much, not because he’s just drooling and chomping at the bit to toss Jones, Morrow, Tillman, and Tiunfel to another ballclub.

My favorite part was the guy who was discrediting defense and using ERA as a basis to prove that the 2002 Angels pitching won them a World Series. When you guys pointed out that their superb defense was key to the pitchers ERA, they laugh it off.

All I can say is.. wow. Fight the good fight, I suppose. But, I hope you packed a lunch.

Again, though, I’m not sure how you don’t think this particular GM is capable of making such a boob move.

How predictable is this team? (I called that one in post 24).

Ugh.