The Orioles will not finalize a trade today that will send star Erik Bedard to Seattle, but a deal could be completed soon, a team source confirmed, denying reports the organization has dealt its best pitcher to Seattle for several players.
Several media outlets reported the deal would be completed once all players in the trade pass physicals, but a source close to the situation would not confirm if any players had taken physicals.
Bedard, 28, went 13-5 with a 3.16 ERA and a club-record 221 strikeouts in 2007.
Last month, Seattle emerged as the front-runner to obtain the left-hander, with prized center field prospect Adam Jones as the headliner in return. Reports have veteran left-handed reliever George Sherrill and three pitching prospects ? Chris Tillman, Tony Bulter and Kameron Mickolio ? also coming from Seattle.
The Orioles? negotiations with the Mariners have dragged on for over a month, and another club source indicated Monday that the team is planning for the upcoming season with the assumption the trade would be completed.
