Backloading

The hot idea now is to give Maddux and Pudge two year deals with the bulk of the money paid in 2005 after Alou and A Gonz are gone. Not a bad idea. But not too good, either. There are a number of free agents in 2005 that could be signed that would be unavailable if $20 million was tied up in two older players. Vidro comes out as does Beltran and Koskie. All three of those are upgrades over the current 2B, CF, and 3B.