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Perspective, please look again at this comparison.
First, I agree that superstars shouldn't be traded off of managerless teams.  Only Pedro would have qualified.  Everyone else was fair game.
Now the good stuff.  Here is a breakdown of the players if they were to be traded in one for one deals.  
Pedro Martinez  vs  Edgar Renteria
Bill Mueller    vs  Troy Glaus 
Cesar Izturis   vs  Ray Durham
LaTroy Hawkins  vs  Adam Eaton 
Mariano Rivera  vs  Kevin Millwood 
Roger Clemens   vs  Byung Kim  
Rafael Palmeiro vs  Erubiel Durazo   
David Riske.    vs  Round 2 Rookie
I'd choose the right column in every instance except for maybe the Pedro/Renteria comparison, but its still close with Renteria being a top 5 SS.  The others easily favor the right column for both youth and quality.