Stephen was waived by Sparky Anderson and then ranted:
 SF> They still had Bonds and the others, most of whom were established
 SF> players, some with post season experience.
The Braves also had players with post season experience (Unless you only want 
to look at 1991, which we aren't).
 SF> All that long explanation and for WHAT??? Belle would not have been
 SF> affected by the free agency rules. He was free agent anyway. Besides,
 SF> once the agreement was signed, he was still out there long enough to
 SF> visit Florida and a couple of other places.
He sure as hell WAS affected by the rules. Teams were waiting to find out 
what was out there before they decided to commit. Once the deal was dead, 
they began to position themselves as if there was no deal and then when the 
deal became reality, they waited again until the ink was dry. In the 
meantime, The offers to Belle, both overt and covert, were there before the 
he committed to Chicago. Many were figuring that he'd either re-sign with 
Cleveland or jump to Florida.
 SF> Oh, hell. Everyone's better. Why not?
You're just blind to this year. Over the past 6 years, he HASN'T displayed 
the kind of pitching that warranted the contract that he got and he raised 
the bar for Fernandez as well as Glavine and Maddux, who will probably sign 
(or be offered) extensions worth equal to (Glavine) or greater (Maddux).
 SF> I guess so, but let's see what it gets the team that gets him.
A performance that will be better than what Smoltz has given the Braves for 6 
years.
 SF> Well, if they think they are going to the Series because of this, then
 SF> they SHOULD start now, because they won't get enough victories during
 SF> the six months of the season.
They picked up Navarro, who will give them a performance that should be as 
good as what they got out of Fernandez and I don't think that they're done.
 SF> Nope, sure can't, but can you name me one position player who had at
 SF> least one  victory to his name last year? Belle hit for almost 162 games
 SF> THIS year and he got no closer to the ring than I did.
He got a LOT closer than you did. Even if his team went into the toilet, he 
got closer than you did. Getting a chance at a ring is a reality for him but 
not you.
--- TrekEd 1.00
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