Thanks about Mulder, he may not be the most impressive pitcher in MLB but he gets it done, 73-32 over the last 4 years I think, those numbers speak for themselves. It gives them a potential rotation of Mulder, Carpenter, Morris, Suppan, Marquis/Ankiel, the last two being the guys I would personally see fighting for the last rotation spot. Morris may be out early in the season so we'll see how he goes. If Mulder and Morris pitch to their pre-2004 levels, and I believe 2004 was a down year induced by injuries for both, and Carpenter, Suppan, and Marquis all just pitch about how they did this past year, that is a rotation to be reckoned with IMO. Should Ankiel make it, he has the potential to be the most dominating of the bunch, but coming off his injury/mental problems, I expect him in the bullpen to cover the loss of Steve Kline.

As for the players we gave up in the trade, Danny Haren, Kiko Calero, and Daric Barton, well, you have to give up a lot to get a lot, and we certainly gave up a LOT. Haren was our best pitcher in the playoffs this year and probably would have started for us. He'll do well in Oakland I'm sure. Calero IMO was going to be our ace reliever this year. I would have even made him closer, he's the only guy I would have trusted to get those key outs. I wish we could have kept him, as he would have been key this year, but in getting Mulder I think it's worth giving him up. Barton is a A catcher, their first round pick in 2003, and rated one of the top prospects at that level. He's a good, solid hitter with some pop, but the Cards already have Yadier Molina at C, and I think he'll be special, so Barton was expendable IMO.

As for the M's signings, Sexson and Beltre will shore up that infield, but I think they overpaid for Sexson. He could be a good pickup, or he could be a bust. Time will tell. Beltre will be solid for them unless this year was an aberration, but I don't think it was. The pitching staff is solid I think, like you said injuries hurt them. I can't see playoffs for the M's this year but it could be right down the road.