[EmpireWF]

Fox Sports reports a deal sending ace pitcher Erik Bedard to the Seattle Mariners is as close as "one player" away from becoming a reality.

"A trade between the Orioles and Mariners is only one player away from completion, major-league sources say, but that one player could be right-hander Chris Tillman, a 19-year-old that the M's would prefer to retain.

Outfielder Adam Jones would be the centerpiece of the deal for the Orioles, and left-handed reliever George Sherrill and 17-year-old shortstop Carlos Triunfel are among the other players under discussion.

The Mariners also have inquired about A's right-hander Joe Blanton, but the A's would insist upon Jones and the Mariners might not be willing to trade their top position prospect within the division."

FOX Sports on MSN - MLB - Bedard to Mariners getting closer

[bears9]

If the O's trade him they are out of their minds, he is the only good thing they got going right now.