Brian,

First let me commend you for signing your name to your post. Its a lot easier to take someone serious when they are willing to stand behing their comments (as opposed to hiding behind a keyboard).

I have played in leagues with these two gentleman and several other people enough to know that some people have player valuations much different than mine. I do understand why someone would call into question the trades made between some teams. And I believe that questioning things that look odd is a justifiable excercise.

It is my feeling though that when two of my friends are accused of cheating it is my duty as their friend to defend them and share the circumstances that I know regarding those trades.

Before I get into this we all know that bad trades happen and that circumstances change which make a trade that looked decent at one time look stupid 3-6 months later. (Example: In PB 99 Trad 2 I tried to trade Mike Cameron to get Mike Williams in June and was turned down. Now I am THANKFUL that I did not make that trade.)

I don't believe these teams are colluding I just think they have opinions on players that aren't the same as ours.

Regarding the trades:

1.) Hinch for Varitek-- I was there when that one was conceived because I was the guy that originally had Varitek. It was essentially a 3 way deal. I sent Varitek and Tejada to New York for Posada and Cameron. At that time New York felt that Varitek's defense was inadequate and wanted Hinch because he thought he would give better Defense. As I remember (and I could be wrong) this occurred before it was widely known that Hinch would lose his starting job.

2.) The one involving Jason Christiansen-- I don't remember the particulars of the trade but at the time I remember thinking that it was Jason Christiansen and "junk" in exchange for "junk". Here my term "junk" refers to players that I didn't think would be worth keeping on free agent cut down day (but who might have value for the current season). At the time I liked the side getting Christiansen because I thought he was the only keepable player but perhaps things have changed since then. (incidentally Mike Bravard told me that he used Dave Howard with good success last year in a Real Time League).

3.) The Glavine for Jiminez and picks trade. I had an opportunity to try and beat the offer for Glavine but I declined because I did not want to give up that many picks for a pitcher that is that old and is having a mediocre season (IMO). The fact that some owners were unwilling to match or beat the offer for Glavine must mean it isn't TOTALLY RIDICULOUS (or maybe it just means Jon and I are stupid). Also the New York owner got it in his mind that Jiminez is a good pitching prospect for the future. I don't share the opinion but I believe he is in good faith trying to build his team for future contention. {Note I said trying not succeeding :-) }

I suppose I am next in line for criticism because I have made 3 trades with New York Holy Bull also. But I will save my rebuttal for those trades until I am actually attacked.

I would like to emphasize that I am not trying to pick a fight with Brian or anyone else. I am trying to "take my friend's back" because I think he was wrongly accused. Brian and I have chatted before and I think we in general share similar philosophies on the game (although we may differ slightly on specific players).