On Fox Sports MLB pre-game show Ken Rosenthal reported that “Willie Randolph is one losing patch away from being fired” and if that does happen Rosenthal said, “Howard Johnson and Rick Peterson will also be fired”.

In a video for Fox Sports, Ken Rosenthal previews the NL East.  For the Mets, he predicts a strong season for Johan Santana, however he wonders whether their fragility will haunt them throughout the year.

Rosenthal also questions the pitching for the Phillies, with Brad Lidge barely healthy.  Rosenthal likes the overall depth of the Braves, and the fact that they are a well-rounded team.  He also thinks that the Nats have some nice hitting, yet their pitching isn’t up to calliber.  Rosenthal thinks that Marlins rebuilding practice might eventually pay-off, but as of now they are no where close to competing.

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the New York Mets made a strong run at Orioles LHP Erik Bedard at the general managers’ meetings earlier this month. However, at the time, Orioles representative Andy MacPhail was not ready to make a move. The Los Angeles Dodgers also inquired about Bedard, but got the a similar response.

Bedard, 28, went 13-5 on the season for the Orioles, ranked 3rd best in the league in strikeouts with 221 and 4th in the league with a 3.16 ERA in 28 games.

Rosenthal believes a package of prospects headed by OF Carlos Gomez could be “enticing”. The Dodgers would likely have to send a package of prospects headed by OF Matt Kemp.

Lastly, Ken also notes that the Twins would be better off dumping closer Joe Nathan for prospects if the team does decide to use 2008 as a rebuilding period.

The 33-year old Nathan is due $6 million this upcoming year, which is a great bargain for a closer of his caliber. In 68 games, Nathan went 4-2 while converting 37 of 41 saves and a 1.88 ERA for the Twins in 2007.