[MIJB#19]

Gossip News: Merchantmen trading just for fun
IHOF fans have noticed the trading spree the Merchantmen showed and league pundits are already questioning the reasoning behind the trades. Some even claim the Merchantmen are trading just for the joy of trading. The Merchantmen management, as always, didn't want to comment, but we're willing to put the highlights on some dumb moves.

Dumping Deon Chapa. Chapa is a top 10 prospect at defensive end, the team dealt him for a second and fourth rounder. it will take a first rounder to get a reasonable replacement, yet the team seems to not understand it.

Dealing Jerry Aubrey. A fifth rounder and a sixth rounder in 2008? That's very little for a former All IHOF selection. Aubrey could have address the need for a good backup tight end and has proven to be a reliable receiver. Getting such late picks won't help you out.

Getting the #12 overall. First round picks are welcome, but where on earth will the get the cap room? We don't even mention they gave up picks in the first, second and third round to get this selection. Someone is really overestimating that selection.

Trading Mark Burger. Did you know that Burger was the most popular player on the team? Yes he was, the Merchantmen gave him and a fourth rounder for a second rounder and a guard they don't need. That offensive line was okay, now this Timmy Lacy will hurt the cohesion. And do they really think that Jamel Rosenberry is going to be a worthy replacement, or is Vincent Lopez all of a sudden back in te spotlights?

Letting Antoine Shepard go. Moe Baxter, third stringer for the worst AOC team is good enough to replace him. You whish. Baxter is new to the team, Shepard has been around for two years and knows all the important players, like Randy Harris, Jim Reiser, Gregory Monti and Bryce Ewald. What on earth can those two slightly better fourth round selections do for your team?

Do you really need more? The Merchantmen manager recently confessed he made two big mistakes in trading last year. Do you really think it will go much better this year? Granted, the market has plummeted, guys who went for first round picks last year are not worth a second rounder if deealt with some compensation.

The way the Merchantmen have been acting like the 'Masters of Trade', it's clearly a quantity over quality story. The players of quality margin so far is at minus three. The so-called 'Most Improved Team' won't even be close to the playoffs in 2006 if they hold this up. Timmy Lacy and Jamel Rosenberry quality players, give me a break.