First off, I am in B10 and I've dealt with both managers in that league as well as in others. They are both hard bargainers but not the kind of owners who offer ridiculous trades or put undue pressure on trade partners.

I traded Soriano last year because I don't think he will hold up long term to be as great as he has started. He's too much of a free swinger for my taste and I think he will begin to suffer for that. I say that with great fear because it could look totally ridiculous in a couple of years. He very well COULD be as great as he looks, in which case he will make adjustments as he needs to. Given that, a strong argument could be made for Soriano to be the second most valuable player in the game right now, especially given what else is out there at his position.

The trade is the kind that it's fun to speculate on and get different opinions about, but I think it's clearly within the limits that should be allowed to go through, especially when both owners are experienced, cagy managers.

Dave N