Gem of a deal. (The Closer).

It used to be if you needed a free agent you went out and got what you needed to compete. It's not that easy anymore. Now that salaries are through the roof, it takes the best poker skills to be a top-notch G.M.

This was never more evident than in the trade that went down with three teams--the Rockies, Marlins and Braves. The Rockies admittedly made a big goof in signing Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle. Not to fault anyone, but it's not a good idea to pay for starting pitching in Denver. You take care of the guys within your organization and maybe try to sign a veteran to stabilize the staff, but that's it.

The Rockies were hamstrung by those guys because they both had complete no-trade clauses. Hamp and Neags earned the right to that security, so the no-trade clauses are good for them. But if you're trying to move them and better your ballclub, it is quite tough. In a most cases, when a team wants a guy, he doesn't want the team. And a team that a guy wants to play for wants him to restructure his deal.

Still, this gem of a trade was pulled off. Hamp goes to Florida for 24 hours, then goes to Atlanta. Colorado has to pay some of his contract, but the Rockies look at it as money saved in the long run, because they don't have to pay it all.

Hamp is a great pitcher, but he didn't fit in Denver; both sides knew ...