Add new comment

The key with Olson of course is that yummy yummy option that he has left. Think of the Heilman trade as trading a talented #4 upside right hander that must be somewhere on your big league roster this year for a talented #4 upside left hander that can be stashed away in Tacoma for a year of polishing. Seriously Heilman for Olson straight up would have been a fine trade, in fact I would wager that Olson is more polished starter RIGHT NOW than Heilman, considering that fact that Olson has been able to start for the last couple of years while Heilman had to work on his third pitch out of the bullpen.
The flexibility that Olson's remaining option give the team is huge. It allows them to stick Washburn in the rotation to boost his trade value, it lets them put RRS in the rotation while the groom a replacement in AAA if RRS fails, and more than anything it keeps moral and chemistry high because you traded a disgruntled bullpenner, who was probably not going to be in a role that he liked or could succeed in for a hard working non complaining guy that will work at his craft until he succeeds (ala Jamie Moyer).
I know you hated the trade, but I for one loved it (And BTW I think we DID get the best player in the trade :) )