I did it. I tried to rationalize it away, but, ultimately, I could not. I just acquired Mets' SS Jose Reyes in a trade.
My team is stuck in the middle of the league standings with just 4 points in SBs but two steals away from two points. It is also clocking in at an unbelievably low .249 AVG. A difference maker in SBs and an asset in AVG screams, "Jose Reyes!"
The question was what to pay. Given Reyes' owner had already appoached me with certain players very soon after our draft, I opened with an offer of a $5 Stephen Drew, Pirates top prospect Andrew McCutchen and Dodger's top prospect Clayton Kershaw.
He countered that he'd like me to include Dodgers' closer-in-waiting Jonathan Broxton in any deal that he would eventually consider when he committed to dealing Reyes. Now I had to decide whether to drop one of the minor leaguers and add Broxton or tag Broxton on to the original offer to force the deal.
With nervous anticipation, I added Broxton and waited. Would he accept right away? Did I want him to accept right away? Would I use any hesitation on his part to pullback? After all, bail season is coming fast, and the four players could be used to fill multiple holes. However, I felt, knew, Reyes was the missing piece to a possible repeat.
He accepted, and I anxiously check the Mets' boxscores to see if Reyes is stealing bases. But I still wonder whether I made an emotional decision to correct a mistake or was it a rational decision based on non-emotional analysis.
Whatever it is, never believe that one marginal dollar doesn't make a difference. For that amount, I could have had Reyes at the draft and still have the four players I just dealt to acquire him.