Over 100 trades were executed in the OOBL this year (since Jan 1), and as Rose alluded to many are concerned that too many of those trades involved established players and stars. Said A's fan Cindy Crawford, "Its getting hard to keep up with my favorite players. You almost have to check the transactions page every day just to know where they are."
Players themselves are trouble by this swapping phenomenon. In this season alone All-Star pitcher Barry Zito has played for Oakland, New York (A), and Detroit. Three teams in a season may not seem like much, but Zito has been traded by Oakland and to the Yankees twIce! This prompted Zito to lament, "I just wish I could go somewhere that wants me. Maybe its something about me that causes teams to want me, trade for me, then want me to leave. I might need counseling if this keeps up!"
The OOBL league office has taken note, and discussions are beginning on if something needs to be done. Commisioner Lancaster appears to feel that it is a problem that needs fixing, while league sources say several teams will be quite resistant to any change.
Stars Traded
Barry Bonds
Greg Maddux
Barry Zito - 4 times traded
Jason Giambi - 2
Jose Vidro - 3
Roger Clemens
Ken Griffey Jr.
Roy Oswalt
Roy Halladay
Eric Chavez
Miguel Tejada
Jim Thome
Vladimir Guererro - 2
Josh Beckett
Jeff Kent
Here is a condensed list of major transactions from 2003. Signings have been limited to over $5,000,000 and only the most notable trades are listed.The complete list can be found here.