(Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
After Corey Patterson went down, he traded journeyman Jose Hernandez and touted prospect Bobby Hill for Aramis Ramirez and Kenny Lofton.
Lofton energized the team from the lead-off position and was one of the biggest reasons they made the playoffs in 2003.
Ramirez has been a God-send at the hot corner. He’s the first legitimate third sacker the Cubs have had since Bill Madlock, a player often forgotten when fans talk about past Cub third baseman.
Hernandez was what he was, and Hill, as the norm in the Cub organization, busted out.
On paper and in the field a great trade, but on behalf of the Pirates, it was a salary dump. They knew they wouldn’t be able to afford Ramirez in the future and were trying to salvage whatever they could out of the trade.
If everything were equal monetarily, Hendry would never have pulled off this heist. But he made the trade, so I’ll give him credit for it.
A similar deal involved acquiring Derrek Lee from the Marlins. The Cubs gave up another highly touted prospect in Hee Seop Choi for Lee. The Marlins were also doing their every four years or so salary dump.
Choi also failed like almost all position players the Cubs develop (I use that term loosely).
Lee has solidified first base for the Cubs for the past several years, though his power has dissipated in the past few years since he injured his wrist in a play at first with Rafael Furcal.
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