Aug 2, 2006
http://0rz.net/7b1HN



WASHINGTON - This past week was crazy.


I didn't sleep. There were times when I exchanged e-mails with another GM
five to seven times an hour for three straight hours.

Fans would yell, ‘Don't trade him.' They'd e-mail me and tell me, ‘
Please don't trade him.' It was overwhelming; the response was amazing.

Now I'm looking forward to when the current road trip is over and the team
comes home so the fans can come out and celebrate the player they did not
want to see traded: Alfonso Soriano.

It's simple. There weren't any deals we felt would really improve our
chances of building a championship club. We felt the best decision was to
keep what we had. And it's always a good position to be in when you're not
forced to make a bad trade. That's symbolic of the new ownership and Stan
Kasten.

We weren't going to change our price. If you change the price at the last
minute, you won't make a good trade or help the franchise win in the long
run. You also lose credibility with other GMs and it affects future
negotiations. That's why I was up front with people. You tell them the price
won't change and you hold to that.

Besides, we're happy Alfonso wants to stay. I wasn't surprised by how
popular Alfonso was in the organization. He’s one of the best offensive
players in the game; I said that when we traded for him. When you see his
work ethic and interaction with teammates, coaches and front office, he is a
loved human being. He loves D.C., he loves the fans and he has charisma. He
has a smile on his face all the time.

He's the kind of person you want in an organization.

Obviously, in spring training he was put in a precarious position of changing
positions. When you're an All-Star second baseman, it's difficult. But he
and I have talked about it; we've put the past behind us and our
relationship is very good — and it will always be good from now on. We both
look forward to a good, long relationship. He does know I'm the one who
traded for him and is appreciative of that and that we were right that he not
only would be a good left fielder; he'd be an All-Star left fielder.

Stan and Alfonso's agent, Diego Bentz, and Alfonso have talked. Stan will
handle the negotiations of this deal. We won't make any predictions on what
is going to happen. One element that's important to us is he says he wants
to be here for a long time. That's his priority.

In Atlanta, Stan would sign some players during the year, like Greg Maddux;
and some after the year, like John Smoltz. When it gets done isn't as
important as getting it done.

So the trading deadline came and went and except for the Lopez-Kearns deal
and the Mike Stanton deal, we ended up sleepless and tradeless in San
Francisco.

However, sometimes the best trade is the one you don't make and I'll take a
non-trade over a bad trade any day.


Bowden's breakdown

Chicago Cubs: They picked up a very underrated player in Cesar Izturis, who
is only 26, for pitcher Greg Maddux. Izturis is a Gold Glove shortstop and
before elbow surgery, he was starting to learn how to hit. He should develop
into a quality No. 2 hitter.

New York Yankees: Getting Bobby Abreu and a back-of-the rotation pitcher
like Cory Lidle without giving up a top prospect was tremendous. It was
simply genius and, of course, expensive, as only the Yankees can do.

Detroit Tigers: The deal of Class AA reliever Brian Rogers for first
baseman Sean Casey was solid. Casey's makeup is off the charts and the
Tigers badly needed a left-handed hitter in the middle of the lineup.