09-11-2009, 05:08 PM
jstraw, I see where you're going, but it's a mental gymnastic game, similar to "What would the '60's have been like if JFK would have survived," or "What would the world be like if Germany hadn't invaded Russia, and won WWII?"
Hindsight is 20/20. As Sipes mentioned, the best possible move we could have made at any time in Hendry's career was acquiring Carlos Beltran. We had 2 chances to do it: Jim stupidly whiffed on the mid-season trade that cost us the 2004 playoffs, and gift-wrapped them for the Astros. But he quickly realized his folly, and tried pretty hard to sign Beltran that winter. But he was outbid by the Mets, and probably thought to himself, "Dammit, that was the #1 FA, and I wanted him. Next time, no one is gonna outbid me!"
That's how we got Alf, who for all his negatives, was definitely the #1 FA during the winter in which we signed him. (and yes, it's now obvious that C Lee would have worked out a lot better for us, but <i>at the time</i>, this was questionable.)
Hindsight is 20/20. As Sipes mentioned, the best possible move we could have made at any time in Hendry's career was acquiring Carlos Beltran. We had 2 chances to do it: Jim stupidly whiffed on the mid-season trade that cost us the 2004 playoffs, and gift-wrapped them for the Astros. But he quickly realized his folly, and tried pretty hard to sign Beltran that winter. But he was outbid by the Mets, and probably thought to himself, "Dammit, that was the #1 FA, and I wanted him. Next time, no one is gonna outbid me!"
That's how we got Alf, who for all his negatives, was definitely the #1 FA during the winter in which we signed him. (and yes, it's now obvious that C Lee would have worked out a lot better for us, but <i>at the time</i>, this was questionable.)
There's nothing better than to realize that the good things about youth don't end with youth itself. It's a matter of realizing that life can be renewed every day you get out of bed without baggage. It's tough to get there, but it's better than the dark thoughts. -Lance