Mammoth Danny Way - Burleigh Trade
Cy Young Candidate Lee Lands in Walla Walla

(AP) Veteran General Managers Pertierra and Hetterich ended 2005 with a bang, consummating a 12 player, 4 draft pick trade. The trade is believed to be the largest in the TML ever. Mark Hetterich was all smiles as he began his youth movement in earnest. The Diamonds got Burleigh's first round pick as well as Jorge Cantu, Humberto Cota and Burleigh's fifth through seventh picks. They also added veteran leadership, whatever that is. with Matt LeCroy and Kenny Lofton. Pertierra got immediate help in Paul LoDuca, Carlos Beltran, Juan Rivera, Edgardo Alfonzo, Tim Worrell, Luis Vizcaino, Hiram Bocachica, Adam Bernero, Joe Borowski, Nate Bump, Nate Field, and Jason Frasor. A known coveter of Carlos Beltran, Big Jim, shown above facing camera while scouting at PNC Field, also liked Borowski for laying in a BP fastball to Rob Mackowiak to start one memorable baseball road trip.
In other news Walla Walla got Big Cliff Lee, Cy Young candidate, from the Avalanche for Juan Uribe and Aaron Heilman. That Walla Walla GM Bryan Sakolsky was also able to get two draft picks from the normally savvy Albany GM Pat Barry in addition to Lee was a testament to the desperation in Albany to acquire a shortstop and the genius of Sakolsky to recognize it. Said Barry afterward, "Trading with Bryan is like a trip to the dentist. You never know what you're going to lose, but you know it'll be painful."