[Westheim]

Well, you wheel and you deal, and it always bites you.

But don't forget that we turned "Dingus" into Cookie, Bergquist, and whatever it is that we have in Gary Dupes. The rest are mostly relievers that come and go.

That Morales gamble in 2011 might well be the best move I made in the last ten years. If Morales had clicked and swatted the Coons back to the playoffs for under a million, it would have been a win, and the way we flicked him for Cookie Carmona is quite definitely a win. Signing "Dingus" cost the first round pick, but what more than Cookie can you wish for? PLUS Bergquist, who might at least be serviceable while we shove Sandy from corner to spot. PLUS Mike Bednarski - who was acquired for the fourth prospect in that deal, Mike Cook, who has yet to do much for the Aces.

Beats the Ron Alston deal in 2008, which turned meager Ryan Miller, coming-and-going Sharpie, and Jimmy Oatmeal into Ron Alston, who was great in '08 and '09, but not so great in '10 when the Raccoons actually made the playoffs.

Although that Bill Conway trade doesn't look shabby, either (at times, at least). He came over from the Rebels for Ricardo Martinez, who was GHASTLY for them 2011-12 and hasn't been in the majors since. Career .255/.295/.388 batter with *that* glove.