Sometimes a trade will stir up immediate controversy and accusations fly. However it often takes many years to properly evaluate a trade. Rarely do any of those who were upset at the time look back or take back what was said at the time of the trade. I have a specific example in mind. I have been with CSN/PB a dozen years. Back in 1995 K Griffey slammed into a wall and broke his wrist. The next day (before the extent of his injury was known)I inquired about his availability in a trade. My thinking was that this is a chance to acquire the best player in the game and that his price would never be less. Perhaps stimulated by my offer, the manager who owned Griffey let it be know in the league that he was available for trade. After negotiating with several teams Griffey was traded to my team for S Sosa. My team was in first at the time and several managers complained loudly about the rich getting richer. One division rival complained about the "lets all help Bob win club" and quit. The consensus was that I had "stolen" Griffey. At the time Sosa's career high in HR was 33 and he had hit better than .261 only once in his career. Given what has happened the last five seasons who would you rather have, Sosa or Griffey?

PS I was in my league's formation draft and tried to trade for Sosa that first season. The manager who owned him declined but for some reason (probably his .203 BA)cut him after the season. I then selected Sosa with an early first round pick in the FA draft and kept him until 1995 when I taded him for Griffey. Three years ago I reaquired Sosa by trading two #1 rookie picks plus a player who had been my #1 rookie pick the year before. It will be interesting to see how that trade is viewed in five years.