Quote Originally Posted by REDREAD View Post
I think Wayne gave up on trying to win the division when he found out that he couldn't snatch Haren or Bedard for Homer.

He changed his strategy and made the Hamilton trade in hopes of maybe trying to win in 2009.
I don't think Wayne's given up the season at all .... he's reportedly still in the Bedard race.. maybe he truly believes that Bailey or Volquez will perform at a #3 level this year... I don't know, but I think the Hamilton for Volquez deal was more of a "win now" move than an "I give up" move.... because in 2009 Bailey and Cueto should be real contributors and we'd be better off having Hamilton in the 08 lineup, but Volquez should be a bigger contributor in 08 than would Cueto (and possibly Bailey), so the Hamilton trade was a move to improve the 08 team (not necessarily the 09 team).