Erik Bedard

The historical line of analysis on Bedard was that he could provide decent results when healthy, but he could never be counted upon to be healthy. That changed in 2012 - and not for the better, as he stayed relatively healthy, but got hit hard for the Pirates, ultimately getting released in August. Now with the Astros, he'll have a reasonable shot at winning one of the rotation spots up for grabs. But with the Astros moving over to the tough AL West, it could get ugly.

Bedard had an unremarkable eight-game stint with Boston to finish up the 2011 season and was not offered salary arbitration, becoming a free agent in the offseason. The Red Sox rolled the dice with Bedard, who was coming off a knee injury when they acquired him from Seattle. The knee remained an issue when he suffered a strained latissimus in early September. It's been a while since the left-hander had a full season and he's never pitched more than 200 innings. That sounds like a perfect target for a team like the Pirates, who signed Bedard to a one-year deal. He could be an effective back-end starter if he can limit the number of games missed.

Bedard missed all of last season coming off labrum surgery. He nearly returned to the Seattle rotation in July, but a setback ended that hope, leading to another shoulder surgery in August. When Bedard was healthy in 2009, he was effective, posting a 9.76 K/9IP in 83 innings. That's why the Mariners are willing to stake another low-risk deal on the hope that his injured shoulder can be rehabilitated.

For the second year in row, Bedard's season ended in injury, this time to labrum surgery in August. He likely won't be ready for spring training as recovery is expected to take about six months. He started throwing in December by may not return until May or June after re-signing with Seattle. When he was healthy, Bedard was effective, posting a 9.76 K/9IP in 83 innings.

Bedard's 2008 was about as distasteful as possible. The product of a generally unpopular trade, Bedard became a scapegoat from Seattle's disastrous season because of a perceived surly attitude and alleged reluctance to go deep into games. Unbeknownst to even the team, though, Bedard experienced shoulder soreness in April. He kept it to himself and gutted through the pain until it became too much in early July. Fortunately, surgery revealed the shoulder to be structurally sound, and Bedard is expected to enter spring training nearly 100 percent healthy. Monitor his health in spring, but Bedard could be a nice draft-day value.

Bedard was the subject of many trade rumors at our deadline - by the time you read this, he may be in a different uniform. Before an oblique strain ended his season in late August, Bedard was on pace to at least contend for the Cy Young Award and was leading the AL in strikeouts by a wide margin. He has steadily improved in virtually every quantifiable measure, with the exception of days spent on the DL. Fortunately his latest injury wasn't arm related. No matter what uniform he ends up wearing, he should be among the elite fantasy starters.

Bedard was one of the few Oriole pitchers to show marked improvement in 2006 under Leo Mazzone, emerging as the ace of the staff. If you throw out a disastrous May, Bedard had a 3.06 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 154:52 K:BB ratio in 167.2 innings. Bedard also had a noticeable home/road split in 2006, with a 3.03 ERA at home but a 4.69 ERA on the road. This would seem to be in accord with his career numbers, as his road ERA (4.43) is 0.67 higher than his home ERA (3.76). The only major quibble with Bedard's game is that he nibbles at corners too much, which leads to high walk totals. Mazzone challenged Bedard to be more aggressive last season, and he's shown improvement in his walk totals from 4.65 per nine innings in 2004 to 3.62 in 2005 and 3.16 last season. Expect a commensurate decrease in walk rate in 2007, and another solid fantasy season from the 28-year-old.

Last year was a tale of two seasons for Bedard. He was Baltimore's best starter and on his way to a surefire All-Star bid by posting a 5-1 record, 2.08 ERA and 52 strikeouts in 60.2 innings spanning nine starts in April and May. When he announced he had to sit out with a strained ligament in his left knee, the Orioles sat in first place, but not for long. When he came back, the team was mired in a deep tailspin, and Bedard did little to help, posting a 1-7 record, 5.44 ERA and 73 strikeouts in 81 innings in the second half of the season. The former Orioles Minor League Pitcher of the Year still has plenty of promise -- as evidenced by his 125 strikeouts in 141.2 innings and the team's refusal to deal him despite numerous requests this offseason. The arrival of pitching coach extraordinaire Leo Mazzone from Atlanta should only enhance the 27-year-old's development.

When on in 2004, Bedard had electric stuff, as evidenced by 121 K in 137.3 IP, the most by any Oriole starter. Unfortunately, that was the extent of his success on the mound, since he lasted little more than five innings per start and issued an astounding 71 BB, also the most of any starter. He’s one of the Orioles’ best pitching prospects, but with Sidney Ponson and Rodrigo Lopez the only two pitchers guaranteed a spot in the rotation for 2005 and the Orioles expected to sign at least one high-profile free agent starter, Bedard will have to pitch reasonably well in spring training to earn a spot in the rotation.

Bedard's 2003 season was spent mostly on rehabbing his left elbow after ligament replacement surgery in Sept. 2002. He looked sharp in some late season rehab starts, striking out 24 batters in 15 2/3 innings. He'll resume his career as a prospect, most likely at Double-A Bowie and then move to Triple-A Ottawa during the season.

Bedard is one of the Orioles' top prospects, but had his stellar Double-A season cut short with ligament problems in his elbow which eventually led to Tommy John surgery. Bedard was 6-3 in 12 starts at Double-A Bowie with 66/30 K/BB ratio and nearly unhittable (43 hits in 68.2 IP). He has some control problems, but it won't matter, as he'll be rehabbing most of the season.