Jamie Burke: Man Of The Hour...Bedard: Man on the Move

Jamie Burke is a team player. He proved that yesterday. Not only does he never complain that he is the #3 Catcher on the active roster, he is willing to play wherever needed to help the team. Even Pitcher.

Burke was no slouch on the mound. He may have been only the 4th position player to receive a decision since 1969 (he was the losing pitcher of record), but he still pitched well for a catcher. He threw an 86 mph fastball that seemed to be effective in taming the Tigers lineup. His only problem, was his "curveball". He decided to try to throw a curveball to Marcus Thames, but it sailed over his head and allowed the runner to move to third base. Thames later hit a sac fly to score the run, and effectively win the game.

From the Seattle Times:
"'I had a couple of guys come to me and say, 'Hey, skip, I can pitch,' " Riggleman said.

Burke was one. Willie Bloomquist and Adrian Beltre were others. Even R.A. Dickey, who had started Saturday and thrown six innings and 105 pitches, told Riggleman he would see if he could get loose.

"It was just a real team effort," Riggleman said. "For us to be where we are in the standings, for those guys to be risking injury to go out there and extend themselves like Dickey was willing to do, and Burke, Beltre and Bloomquist to offer to do that, that makes a real statement about how they feel about their teammates.""

Another thing going on in Mariner-land these days is the trade deadline. With CC Sabathia being dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers Sunday afternoon, the question remains: Will Erik Bedard be next? With Sabathia gone, Bedard is now the top Lefty on the market, and top Starter as well. The Philadelphia Phillies have shown interest, and have sent scouts to see Bedard pitch as of late (according to ESPN's Jayson Stark). Other teams that have had interest is the Toronto Blue Jays. Bedard is a Canadian native, and could make the already great Jays rotation even better.

Look for other players to be market from the Mariners. Adrian Beltre and Raul Ibanez could still fetch some players from a contending team looking to bulk up.