[Westheim]

The Scorpions offered Julio Mata to us. He had a total of 122 AB for them over the last three seasons, mostly being dumped to AAA. AA even in 2003. They want Manuel Martinez and AA OF Desidério Chamissa.

Yeah, sure. Do I look that ******ed?

I was after a few Top 50 prospects, but neither the Capitals nor the Aces were willing to let their about-to-ripen fruits go. With the Capitals it was also a money issue. They had massive budget room, yet had seemingly offered a contract to every free agent out there, and Wally Gaston.

No progress as the calendar hits 2005. And with no progress I mean NO PROGRESS.

December 19 – 33-year old SP Jason O’Halloran (184-104, 3.26 ERA), who has won 20 games in five of the last six seasons, signs a 4-yr, $11.84M extension with the Titans.
December 20 – The Falcons land ex-CIN SP Lewis Donaldson (113-123, 4.44 ERA) on a 2-yr, $4.72M contract. Mediocrity never paid so well.
December 24 – Ex-MIL OF Cristo Ramirez (.330, 67 HR, 1,107 RBI) signs a 2-yr, $1.22M contract with the Pacifics.
December 27 – The Stars give a 3-yr, $3.02M contract to 28-yr old ex-DEN INF Armando Rodriguez (.287, 26 HR, 272 RBI).
December 28 – Next signing for the Stars: ex-SFB SP Manuel Hernandez (82-97, 4.59 ERA) for 3-yr, $5.4M.

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I actually drove home from work to have lunch here, and a poor lunch on top of that, just to get any trade done.

Any trade would have sufficed. SOME move to change ANYTHING.

Failed.

Back to work.