Looks like Dave from USS Mariner and Larry Stone of the Seattle Times have kicked off the summer trade and speculation season in Seattle, so we may as well dive right in.

Erik Bedard has been as good as originally advertised this season and relatively healthy, making him an attractive rotation upgrade for contenders and fringe teams.  He’s a free agent after the season so his value can only go so high, but he should be able to bring back some decent prospects.

The Philadelphia Phillies are the team that has popped up several times over the past two seasons in connection with Bedard.  They could use his services, but what do they have to offer?  Their top prospect the last few seasons has been RHSP Carlos Carrasco.  I’ve read mixed reviews but he’s sounds like a good prospect with a decent ceiling who is close to the majors, and getting him would certainly help restock the organization’s RHSP depth.  SS Jason Donald would be someone that Seattle should be targeting as well.  The Phillies obviously have a pretty good middle infield at the big league level making Donald somewhat expendable, but they’ve shown in the past that they won’t give him up easily.  There aren’t many people concerned with his bat even with the 2009 struggles– he’s got above average power for a middle infielder and works the counts– but there are some concerns about his ability to stick at shortstop.  Hey, if he can handle second base that would be helpful to the Seattle Mariners organization as well.

After the Jake Peavy deal fell through I thought that the Chicago White Sox could become a suitor for Bedard as well.  LHSPs Aaron Poreda and Clayton Richard were part of that deal, and both pitchers would be nice fits at Safeco Field.  The Sox and Mariners were talking trade preseason, so maybe a larger deal could be worked out.

Other fits?  The Milwaukee Brewers could use another top starter, and Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik is obviously familiar with their system.  Someone mentioned to me yesterday that the majority of the Seattle brass were in attendance for one of Tacoma’s games against Milwaukee affiliate Nashville, for what that’s worth.  SS Alcides Escobar would be an improvement over YuBet right now.

Hard to say at this point who else could be in the running come July (if Bedard remains in Seattle colors that long)– Dodgers, Cubs, Cardinals, Blue Jays?  Feel free to submit your ideas and insight.