It's going down

MLB.com: Midweek now the target for Bedard deal

Multiple sources reported Monday that the Orioles and Mariners may have moved closer to completing a blockbuster trade for Erik Bedard. Both ESPN.com and the Baltimore Sun have reported that key players have undergone physical examinations and that the trade could be consummated by the middle of the week.

The Orioles will reportedly obtain center fielder Adam Jones, reliever George Sherrill and three pitching prospects in exchange for their staff ace, who set a franchise record with 221 strikeouts last season. The trade has been rumored for more than a week and has survived despite rampant speculation and several reported false alarms.

Baltimore Sun: Bedard Trade: Let's get physical

The Erik Bedard trade saga dragged into another day, but it finally appears set for resolution. The Orioles and Seattle Mariners have agreed to the framework of a deal that would send Bedard to the Mariners for five players, including young outfielder Adam Jones, according to two league sources.

However, the deal is not official until all of the primary players involved take and pass physicals. Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill, two of the centerpieces of the Mariners' package, were in Baltimore yesterday to take their physicals, according to sources. The Orioles are known for requiring extensive physicals, and it's common for team officials to not get the complete results until a day after the examinations.

Bedard, a 28-year-old left-handed ace, is expected in Seattle this week, perhaps as early as today, to take his physical. As of yesterday afternoon, Bedard had not been notified that he needed to be in Seattle. Mark Pieper, the pitcher's agent, did not return a phone call last night seeking comment.

Seattle Times: Bedard trade almost complete

At long last, the culmination to one of the most bizarrely-played-out trades in recent major-league history should be at hand.

A deal that would send Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Erik Bedard to the Mariners for outfielder Adam Jones, left-handed reliever George Sherrill and a trio of minor-leaguers is expected to be announced in the next 48 hours. Jones and Sherrill were in Baltimore for physicals Monday while it was confirmed by multiple sources that Seattle minor-league pitcher Chris Tillman has finally been told he will be traded.

Geoff Baker's Blog at the Times: Sherrill in Baltimore; Tillman confirmed in deal

From what we're hearing, the other players said to be involved in the deal on Seattle's end may not be required by the Orioles to take physicals. (UPDATE 4:03 p.m. -- We've had it confirmed from multiple sources that Chris Tillman is indeed part of the trade package and has been told as much. If all the principals have been notified, it would seem a trade could happen tomorrow if all needed physicals are approved). The Orioles are apparently far more worried about the major league guys since they will be expected to help the big club right away. It appears that Bedard has yet to fly to Seattle. Our take on this? The Mariners probably want to get the "all clear" sign from the Orioles on Jones and Sherrill before bringing Bedard in for a physical. Never know with Peter Angelos running things in Baltimore.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer: Bedard still awaiting call from M's

The long-awaited physical exams for outfielder Adam Jones and relief pitcher George Sherrill took place Monday in Baltimore, indicating the Mariners and Orioles are close to completing a trade that would send starting pitcher Erik Bedard to Seattle.

This is one of the slowest-developing trades in ages, however. So while Jones and Sherrill were in Baltimore, Bedard was still at home near Ottawa, having heard nary a word about the Orioles' plans for him -- or the Mariners' plans, for that matter.

Bedard, the Orioles' ace left-hander, told an associate Monday he hadn't heard anything official from anyone.

In addition to Jones and Sherrill, the trade is expected to include Mariners minor league pitchers Chris Tillman, Kam Mickolio and Tony Butler.

Lastly, a Prospect Insider sidebar:

Tillman Shut Down Monday
Tillman was not instructed to halt workouts in Peoria until today (Monday) but was not specifically told why. Minor league instruction coordinator Pedro Grifol notified Tillman of the shutdown.

"To be complete honest, the first time I heard about it was on your site," Tillman said. "Butler and I are roommates and we both saw that.
That's the only thing I knew about it until this."

I wonder if that detail getting out will hold this deal up for another week.

Where's my Grand Funk?

Am I in my cabin dreaming, or are you really scheming,
To take my ship away from me?

You'd better think about it, I just cant live without it.
So, please don't take my ship from me.

I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...
I'm getting closer to my home ...