Sophomore Slump Since 1997 for Rookie Flop 1999

The Colorado Rockies and Texas Rangers traded disappointing former prospects, Todd Hollandsworth and Gabe Kapler, in a move that nearly reaches satiric perfection. Not only does it involve two now marginalized players (Kapler has zero HRs in almost 200 ABs this year!) for whom everyone had such high expectations (Kapler had a national commercial when he was in the minors). The marginalization of the trade underscores how marginalized the July 31 trade deadline has become with the August waiver deadline growing in importance and with skittish owners loath to acquire new salaries with a strike looming (or at least wanting to appear so).

That said, I don't get why the Rangers made the deal unless they just can't stand Kapler in the clubhouse. Kapler is having an awful year but is still only 26. Hollandsworth is not worth much outside of Coor's and is a free agent after this year. They both make about $5.5 million but Kapler has another year on his ludicrous contract. The Rangers will save on Kapler's contract next year but did agree to kick in $1 million of the $5.6 million 2003 salary. The Rockies, and Coor's, may be able to turn his career around and his .617 OPS is not much worse (only 8 points) that starting center fielder Juan Pierre's. The Rangers also threw in a prospect while only receiving journeyman reliever in Reyes (who they may convert to a starter in another scattershot attempt to resuscitate their moribund starting rotation).

Tom Hicks seems to be serious about cutting payroll, but are his moves now any more logical than the ludicrous offers he was making to players a couple of years ago?