If Ralph really wants to make this trade, get beyond all the , "I'm so insuted, I'll never deal with you again..." stuff and make a real offer; one that he will feel as much as Dave. He is asking for Dave's # 1 SP; a young and proven entity, while offering a bunch of 'maybes.' Instead of having to bank on, "if this guy returns to form... " or "If he lives up to promise.." why not inlude one of your excellent young PROVEN CFs ( Baldelli or Byrd) and Jake Peavy, (a young SP with DEMONSTRABLE talent).

As it stands the only one SURE to get anything out of this is Ralph. By the way, if you really think that highly of Bobby Hill, et.al. They'll still be on your roster next year after cuts. We'll see.