Topic: Marlboro and Chicago hook up on a trade 12-12-02 07:25 PM Shark Marlboro made a major move today to add one of the premier LH power bats in the league in Carlos Delgado (and Harim Bocachica). Though we gave up an outstanding leadoff hitter in switch-hitter Luis Castillo and RH closer Ugueth Urbina, we felt that our team was lacking a true power threat to plug into the cleanup spot going into the auction Delgado ranked 4th overall in OPS vs. RHs (1.090) in the league behind Bonds, Thome, Giles and A-Rod. Though he struggled vs. LHs, we feel we can easily find some cheap RH help at 1B in the auction, plus we still have Doug Mientkiewicz as bench help and defensive replacement in the late innings. In the end we just couldn't see not making a trade for such a power bat, even though we gave up a a great leadoff hitter abd closer - we both got what we needed in this trade. We also were a little nervous going into the auction knowing there are 4-5 teams seriously looking at acquiring the top 3-4 1B available, and we didn't want to get into a bidding war over them. An added bonus is he is someone that we will retain the rights to going into next year's auction. 12-12-02 07:46 PM BDBLcommish John, is this a sign of a lack of faith in Bobby Hill? Or is it merely a cost- cutting move? Here's another one of my patented December Kreskin Glander predictions that I'm sure will be regurgitated for me if it doesn't come true (which, of course, I'm counting on): the Marlboro Hammerheads have just won the Benes Division. 12-12-02 08:58 PM Black Sox Actually Mike, Castillo's contract is up after this year, so I am hoping that Hill will be up to snuff by then, if not, then I can always try to re-sign Castillo. I would not have made this deal if I did not have Aubrey Huff. Huff will never have the numbers that Delgado has, but if he can continue to hit 25-30 HRs and bat .300 at a fraction of the cost of Delgado, then why not trade Delgado. As a back-up, I have Choi too. This deal also gives me a closer in Urbina, and frees up some cash which will give me $15-16MM for the auction. Everybody knew Delgado was available. Also Mike, I know you have a couple holes in your lineup, but I believe you have a lot of money to spend. So, I would not be handing the divison crown to Ken yet. 12-12-02 09:04 PM STMZoots Our favorite little guy is back... Chicken Little Glander. 12-12-02 10:04 PM BDBLcommish That makes sense, John. I wasn't knocking your trade. I thought that Castillo was in his option year, so I couldn't figure out what you were planning to do with he and Hill (and I was hoping it meant you'd lost confidence in Hill.) As for the Marlboro prediction, he now has a good hitter from one-to-eight, a top- five ace and a very good #2, a full bullpen and a bunch of money still left to spend. I don't exactly think this was one of my ballsier predictions. Seems to be a gimme to me. Hopefully, the Cowtippers can scratch and claw for a wild card this year and make it five years in a row. That's about the best we can hope for, I'm afraid. 12-13-02 09:44 AM BDBLcommish One part I don't understand about this deal: why did Chicago take Sean Lowe? I'm putting together the Draft Day Preview, and I had Marlboro paying a $500k penalty to cut him. Is Chicago now planning to pay this penalty? 12-13-02 10:39 AM Black Sox Unfortunately, to get this deal done, yes I had to take Sean Lowe. He will be cut, so if someone wants him, you can have him. 12-13-02 06:35 PM Shark Yes Mike, I didn't want to lose more than $2m in cap space in the trade. That means a lot in this auction. He, in turn got $2m cap room. We both made out and our happy. Hey, you set the precident with your Karros/Lansing trades of "cut" players - I am just following the master. 12-13-02 09:54 PM BDBLcommish Easy there, Sharky. I traded a quality farm player in exchange for some salary cap relief. You traded a singles-hitting middle infielder for a top-five first baseman AND got some salary cap relief thrown in "just to make it even." A bit of a difference, no? 12-13-02 11:53 PM Shark Oh boy, here we go again. 12-14-02 01:02 AM BDBLcommish You started it.