It could happen

Yes, this is another Brian Roberts post. I'll re-name the blog Cubs b/r tomorrow.

The pieces may fall into place. Bill Bavasi seems optimistic about landing Bedard, according to the thenewstribune.com

He said he wants "a premier starting pitcher," "a top-of-the-rotation guy," a "rare animal." And he believes the Mariners will get one soon.

"As I'm sitting here today, I think we will (get a deal done)," Bavasi said. "I think there's a good chance of that. But I should qualify that by saying I've thought that four or five times in the last month and it's been shot down."

The Associated Press got the same feeling at the luncheon (it wasn't just the potato salad)

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.