[rwperu34]

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i put my writeup of the trade on my blog. cliffs: d-rays win, as usual

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I though this was particularly funny;

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Tampa has pulled off a nice trade that gives them an outside chance of contending for a playoff spot.


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The Rays just pulled themselves within 20 games of a playoff spot. I'll admit, that's the closest they've ever been! If the Rays all perform near their ceiling in 2008, they've got about a 10% chance of beating the Yankees OR Red Sox, let alone both. In the real world, the Rays are going to project 15-20 games behind second place in the AL East and open the season with little to no chance to make the playoffs.

If your goal is to win as many games in 2008 as possible, then maybe there is some justification for this deal for the Rays. Even that's arguable. If your goal is to make the playoffs as many times as possible over the next 2-3 years, this deal is a near disaster. This is very poor use of resources, and a blue print in how to minimize value.