Contract extension talks between the Orioles and Erik Bedard stalled yesterday, increasing the likelihood that team officials will spend part of next week's winter meetings contemplating trade offers for the ace left-hander. "We've had some conversations. We spoke again today, but I'd say that we've cooled in that area," Orioles' President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail said of the negotiations with Bedard's agent Mark Pieper. "We've gone on to other things. It doesn't mean that [negotiations] can't or won't be started again. It just means that they've cooled for now." MacPhail said he didn't consider the development a huge setback in the club's effort to sign a long-term deal with Bedard, who isn't eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season. He also didn't rule out the talks resuming, though none are expected to take place at the winter meetings.