We have had several threads discussing the Arizona Titan Force in 98PB2. Much speculation had been offered as to whether collusion occurred, or whether the owner in question was merely a shark to be avoided as a new owner. As a new owner in 98PB2, I got to experience first hand how this owner operates. I received the following trade offer today....

The following trade has been proposed:
League Name: PB 98 Traditional 2
Trade Title: Arizona Titan Force / Gainesville Spiders Option A

Players

Wes Helms From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Matt Mantei From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Jeff Cirillo From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Rich Aurilia From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Kerry Ligtenberg From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Curt Schilling From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Roger Clemens From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force

Craig Grebeck From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Lou Pote From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Fernando Tatis From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Craig Paquette From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Mike Fetters From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Brad Radke From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Scott Elarton From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders

Draft Picks
None

Let's see how one-sided this offer is, shall we? I would send PB value of 25.448 to Arizona for return value of 20.447. Well, it's not that bat from a PB standpoint. What am I sending? 5 Time Cy Young winner whose current year willl give you 204 IP of 3.70 ERA in Roger Clemens; Curt Schilling, a man with a career ERA of 3.43, an a current year value of 210 IP of 3.81 ERA; Rich Aurillia, .749 ROPS, .889 LOPS, in 571 AB at SS; Jeff Cirillo, 684 AB of .392 OBP; Kerry Ligtenburg and Matt Mantei, relievers coming off subpar years, who rate to improve in 2001.

What do I receive in return? Craig Grebeck, a 36 year old career .265 hitter. Craig Paquette, a 31 year old career .239 hitter. Fernando Tatis, broken most of last year, a career .276 hitter, 1 good year under his belt two years ago. Brad Radke; league average ERA (4.45) last year, lots of innings, however. Bartolo Colon, an excellent young starter, I'll grant. Mike Fetters, a 36 year old reliever, in a year where relief is fairly easy to get. Lou Pote, decent 29 year old reliever, again in the year of numerous sub-4.00 ERA relievers.

New owners to PB98T2 and other leagues with this gentlemen beware; accepting a trade offer like this is an easy way to ruin your team....

I sent him the following trade offer in return; it looks about as fair as his offer, does it not?

League Name: PB 98 Traditional 2
Trade Title: Titan Force / Spiders Option B - I'm new, not an idiot...

Players

Rafael Palmeiro From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Jacob Cruz From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
John Wasdin From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Orlando Cabrera From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Felix Heredia From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force
Terry Mulholland From Gainesville Spiders To Arizona Titan Force

Jeff Bagwell From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Sammy Sosa From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Kerry Wood From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Rafael Furcal From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Kevin Brown From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders
Mike Hampton From Arizona Titan Force To Gainesville Spiders

Draft Picks
None