I knew people would look at that... I have friend in the same league who chastised me for that trade as well. He too was looking at Furcal, and I tell you what I told him: I don't like Furcal.

the reasoning was this:

1. As stated: I don't like Furcal. Can't explain it, but I don't. Maybe it is because he is a Brave.

He's a good average hitter with good speed. Great on the basepaths, and his speed will let him get to many balls. He makes quite a few fielding mistakes - but that could be attributed to his rookie year. He could be a .300 hitter (because of his speed), but he is a "punch and judy" hitter. My team need power right now, we are really short on power.

2. I was not assured the first overall. Remember, PB uses a lottery system, so eventhough my team was the worst, I only had a 25% chance of getting the first overall. When I made that trade the Hurricane were also on a pace to win over 60 games. There was the chance that I wouldn't be drafting until 5th or 6th. It was only a complete collapse of the team in the second half (.118 percentage or something gawd awful like that) that placed the Cane firmly in the basement. I have NO idea what happened.

3. Even if I HAD the first overall pick, I still would NOT have taken Furcal... There are MANY people I consider to be a better chance:

My order would have been

:Barry Zito
:Jimmy Rollins
:Kazuhiro Sasaki
:Rafael Furcal

Everyone was hung up on Furcal last year... but you watch... Jimmy Rollins is the REAL pick of last year's rookie draft (SS wise). Although he hasn't the speed of Furcal (and won't get to as many balls), I believe he will be a better hitter than Furcal. Rollins, I believe, will hit close to .300 but has the capability of powering 15+ balls out of hitter friendly Vetrans (if he plays the full year). I never thought Rollins would go as low as he did in the draft... (in W9 anyways). He's the guy I wish I had.

4. Larkin filled a big hole I had last year (Kelly Dransfeldt was my every day starting shortstop). I now have a very solid commodity in Larkin, and have already been in discussion with 2 teams in regards to his services. He is marketable, so that trade isn't over yet ;)

Yeah... I could have held on the 1st round pick.. and I probably should have. It went against my rebuilding philosophy... (I have a 5 year plan) but I got caught up in the year and was unbelieveably looking at 60 wins (I only ever expected 50 at the most).

My biggest problem is that I like to tinker... I like to trade... and luckily (unluckily?? :p), there are many in my league who like to do the same.

But the rebuilding continues, and the drafting and trading will continue, and I still think you'll see the average age of the Hurricane (currently 26.8) get younger still. I'm in the 2nd year of a 5 year plan and I like the way my future is shaping up.

I will win 50 this year! I just can't wait to start playing again!

GO CANE!!!!

RobG
W9 - Port Huron