Dodgers Way
FanSided

Dodgers Sign Left Hander Erik Bedard To Minor League Deal

By Scott Andes

facebooktwitterreddit

We may be just a few short weeks away from the start of spring training, but the Dodgers are not done signing more pitching depth. As they always say, you can never have enough of it.

According to Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers have signed left handed pitcher Erik Bedard to a minor league contract.

Bedard was last seen pitching for Tampa Bay in 2014, when he posted a 4-6 record, and a 4.76 ERA in 75.2 innings of work. The 35-year old left hander made 17 starts for the Rays last season, putting up an FIP of 4.39 and whiffing 64 against 29 walks with a 7.6 strikeouts per nine rate.

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Bedard was originally drafted by Baltimore in the sixth round of the 1999 amateur draft. Bedard has pitched for six major league teams in his eleven seasons of major league service. Bedard has pitched for Baltimore, Seattle, Boston, Pittsburgh, Houston, and Tampa Bay.

During those eleven seasons, Bedard has compiled a 71-82 record with a 3.99 ERA and a 3.82 FIP. Bedard has been a fly ball type pitcher, allowing a 0.9 home runs per nine rate and 131 total over the course of his career. He’s averaged 19 per season.

Bedard’s best season was probably in 2007 when he was still pitching for Baltimore. During that season he posted a 13-5 record, with a 3.16 ERA and 221 whiffs against 57 walks in 182 frames. That season he finished fifth in the AL Cy Young award voting, and led the American League in strikeouts per nine rate, (10.9) and lowest hits per nine rate (7.0).

The season before that he won 15 games and finished with a 3.76 ERA in 196.1 innings pitched. Unfortunately Bedard has struggled to limit base runners over the last few seasons, and has seen his strikeout rate decrease significantly. Last year he allowed 10.0 hits per nine alongside a 1.4 WHIP.

Live Feed

MLB rumors roundup: Tatis and Yankees, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodon
MLB rumors roundup: Tatis and Yankees, Dansby Swanson, Carlos Rodon /

Call to the Pen

  • Why Dansby Swanson makes sense for the Dodgers, explainedFanSided
  • MLB rumors: Dansby Swanson could make Braves worst nightmare a realityFanSided
  • With departures, Los Angeles Dodgers must retool for 2023Call to the Pen
  • MLB Insider: Diamondbacks showing interest in Justin TurnerFanSided
  • Latest World Series Odds for Every Team Following Big Free Agency Signings (Astros Remain Favorite After Jose Abreu Signing)FanSided

    • The Ontario Canada native has not posted a winning season since 2008 when he was 6-4 with Seattle. Since 2007 he’s made over 20 starts in three seasons.

    Bedard could provide depth as a spot starter, and or long man if somebody on the Dodger staff gets injured. Ironically enough, it was Andre Friedman who designated the veteran left hander for assignment last July when he was with Tampa Bay.

    I guess everything comes full circle in Baseball.

    Home/LA Dodgers News